MURFREESBORO (TN)
WSMV [Nashville TN]
November 12, 2026
By Caleb Wethington
A Tennessee jury convicted Benjamin Garlick of seven counts of aggravated rape of a child, six counts of aggravated sexual battery and more.
A traveling pastor convicted of sexually abusing three girls will serve three life sentences plus 84 years without parole, the Rutherford County court clerk confirmed.
Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell also sentenced Shaantal Garlick, the wife of Benjamin Garlick, to 25 years in prison on November 10.
A Rutherford County jury convicted Benjamin Garlick of seven counts of aggravated rape of a child, six counts of aggravated sexual battery, solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor and two Child Protection Act violations, WSMV4 previously reported
The same jury convicted Shaantal Garlick of two counts of facilitation of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect.
Murfreesboro Police began investigating Benjamin Garlick in August 2023. Police previously said he traveled around the country as a minister, primarily working with the Hispanic community.