A Tennessee pastor who traveled extensively through multiple states as part of a religious ministry has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a Rutherford County jury convicted him of multiple child abuse-related offenses following a two-week trial, authorities said.
Benjamin Garlick, 35, was convicted on several felony counts, including aggravated rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor and violations of Tennessee’s Child Protection Act, according to court and law enforcement officials. Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell imposed a life sentence without parole on the aggravated rape convictions. Additional sentencing on other convictions is scheduled for Nov. 10, WGNS Radio reported.
Garlick’s wife, Shaantal Garlick, 32, was found guilty of facilitation of aggravated rape of a child and aggravated child neglect. Court records indicate she also is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 10. Following the verdict, authorities said she was taken into custody and transferred to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, according to newschannel5.com…