Idiots of the Week: Evangelical pastor Benjamin Garlick & Wife Guilty of Child-sex crimes

This week's idiots are a husband and wife who molested children while hiding behind religion. WKRN-TV, Tennessee said, "The Benjamin and Shaantal Garlick case in Murfreesboro Rutherford County, Tennessee exposes the grotesque inversion of religious authority—pastoral preaching alongside convictions involving child sexual abuse, pedophilia, and neglect. The verdict, Benjamin’s life-without-parole sentence, and the work of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office represent judicial and law-enforcement power confronting alleged religious hypocrisy, domination, and moral corruption."

In the last several years on this blog, you've read about countless members of the Republican party who have committed these heinous, disgusting crimes. Any Republicans who still believe in conservatism need to take back their party and condemn these people.  

Tennessee pastor, wife found guilty of sexually abusing a 5-year-old, other victims

by Sydney KellerWed, August 19, 2026

Benjamin Garlick, 35, was convicted on seven counts of aggravated rape of a child, six counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of violating the Child Protection Act. The jury also found Shaantal Garlick, 32, guilty of two counts of facilitating aggravated rape of a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect.

*WARNING: Details in this story are disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.*

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WZTV) -- A Rutherford County jury has found a traveling pastor and his wife guilty of child sex crimes after a two-week trial.

Benjamin Garlick, 35, was convicted on seven counts of aggravated rape of a child, six counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of violating the Child Protection Act. The jury also found Shaantal Garlick, 32, guilty of two counts of facilitating aggravated rape of a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect.

Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell sentenced Benjamin Garlick to life in prison without parole for the aggravated rape charges. He will find out his punishment on the other charges Nov. 10, which is also the day Shaantal Garlick will be sentenced.

Police first launched the investigation into Benjamin Garlick’s actions on Aug. 15, 2023, after allegations of sexual abuse against a 5-year-old that happened over several years. The investigation revealed two more victims were abused.

Police also found that Shaantal Garlick knowingly neglected the child, harming the child’s health and well-being, while assisting in the commission of the sexual abuse.

Benjamin Garlick will remain in the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center waiting for his next sentencing hearing, while Shaantal Garlick, who was out on bond, is now in the county jail after her conviction.