Benjamin Garlick is a 32-year-old traveling preacher who has been charged with multiple counts of child r*pe and abuse.
According to multiple news sources, he has ties to Middle Tennessee and was recently evicted.
Garlick faces 12 charges, including five counts of aggravated r*pe of a child 8 years old or younger, and five counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child 13 years old or younger.
He and his wife, Shaantal, were indicted on child r*pe and abuse charges after publicly begging for money so they could preach all across America.
Shaantal was indicted on two counts: facilitating aggravated rape of a child and aggravated abuse/neglect/endangerment of a child 8 and under.
Garlick GoFundMe campaign
In December 2022, the couple started started a GoFundMe campaign that, as of Thursday morning, has raised more than $18,000 towards funding the Garlick family’s purchase of a Ford Transit van.
The campaign, which included a photo of the parents with six children, began by quoting the Bible and explained that the family’s mini-van had more than 418,000 miles on it.
“This year our family once again outgrew our vehicle, and while we were so excited to receive our new baby into our family, we knew that In the Lord’s timing, He would open the door once again for us to get the vehicle we prayed for
“And pray we did. His timing is perfect; this week, He opened the door to find the van we have been praying for. Here we are with the new van,” Garlick wrote.
Evangelist Benjamin Garlick and his wife Shaantal Garlick face several charges relating to CSA. pic.twitter.com/CS5hIBOTCA
— STOP IFB CHURCH ABUSE (@preacherboysdoc) September 23, 2023
What is aggravated r*pe and aggravated sexual battery
Aggravated r*pe and aggravated sexual battery are serious criminal offenses that involve sexual assault.
Aggravated r*pe is a type of r*pe that involves the use of force, violence or threats to commit sexual assault.
It is considered aggravated because it involves additional factors that make the crime more severe.
These factors can include the use of a weapon, the victim being under the age of consent, or the perpetrator having a prior criminal record.
Aggravated r*pe is a felony offense and carries severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and registration as a sex offender.
Aggravated sexual battery is a similar offense that involves the intentional touching of another person’s intimate body parts without their consent.
Like aggravated r*pe, aggravated sexual battery is considered aggravated because it involves additional factors that make the crime more severe.
These factors can include the use of force, violence, or threats, the victim being under the age of consent, or the perpetrator having a prior criminal record.
Aggravated sexual battery is also a felony offense and carries severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and registration as a sex offender.
It is important to note that both aggravated r*pe and aggravated sexual battery are serious crimes that can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on the victim.
It is crucial that anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault seeks help and support from law enforcement, medical professionals, and victim advocates.
Cases of r*pe and sexual battery in the US
There have been numerous high-profile cases of r*pe and sexual battery in the US in recent years.
One such case involved Harvey Weinstein, a prominent Hollywood producer who was accused of sexually assaulting and harassing multiple women over the course of several decades.
Weinstein was eventually convicted of r*pe and sexual assault in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Another well-known case involved Bill Cosby, a comedian and actor who was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting multiple women over the course of several decades.
Cosby was convicted of sexual assault in 2018 and sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison.
In addition to these high-profile cases, there are countless other instances of r*pe and sexual battery that occur every day in the US.
These crimes can happen in a variety of settings, including homes, workplaces, schools and public spaces.
They can be perpetrated by strangers, acquaintances, or even family members.
It is important to note that r*pe and sexual battery are never the victim’s fault, and that there are resources available for those who have experienced these crimes.
Victims can seek medical attention, counseling and legal assistance to help them heal and seek justice.
Additionally, there are organizations and advocacy groups that work to raise awareness about these issues and support survivors of sexual violence.
