Traveling Pastor and Wife Convicted of Child Sex Crimes in Tennessee

A Tennessee jury has convicted Benjamin Garlick, a 35-year-old traveling pastor associated with the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist movement, and his wife, 32-year-old Shaantal Garlick, on multiple counts of child sex crimes. Following a two-week trial in Rutherford County, Benjamin Garlick was found guilty of charges including aggravated rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, and solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor. His wife was convicted of facilitation of aggravated rape and aggravated child neglect.

Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell sentenced Benjamin Garlick to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the aggravated rape convictions. Additional sentencing for the remaining charges, as well as for Shaantal Garlick, is scheduled for November 10. Prosecutors stated that the case involved three victims aged eight and younger. The Murfreesboro Police Department began its investigation in August 2023 after receiving reports of abuse, which court records indicate occurred between 2014 and 2023.