Megachurch Pastor Convicted of Stalking and Burglary After Breaking into Female Parishioner's Home

 Sergio Guardia, 49

A pastor at a prominent Virginia megachurch has been convicted of stalking and burglary after being caught on security cameras breaking into a female congregation member’s home on two separate occasions. Sergio Guardia, 49, a minister at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, was found guilty on two counts of burglary and one count of stalking by a jury in Lynchburg Circuit Court. He now faces up to ten years in prison.

Marie Columna, 43, the victim of the crimes, said she continues to fear for her safety following the incidents. She reported Guardia’s disturbing behavior to church officials as early as 2016 but claims no action was taken.

Marie first met him when she got married in 2007 and attended his Spanish-language church service at Thomas Road Baptist Church. After she divorced her husband, his advances got increasingly creepier

The break-ins occurred in November 2023 while Marie was out of state with her children. Security footage from November 10 showed Guardia entering her home at 11:30 p.m., using the flashlight on his phone as he moved through the kitchen. He appeared familiar with the layout of the house and fled upon noticing the camera. The next night, another alert showed him entering her backyard and gaining access through the basement, which served as her daughter’s bedroom. Concerned for her safety, she immediately contacted the police, who searched her property but did not find him.

Marie described a long history of unsettling interactions with Guardia, dating back to when she first attended his Spanish-language church service in 2007. Following her separation in 2011, Guardia and his wife encouraged her to return to church, but his behavior soon became controlling. He discouraged her from speaking to men, monitored her social media, and made unsolicited visits to her home. After her divorce in 2015, his actions escalated, including showing up uninvited with groceries and loitering outside her house.

Sergio Guardia, 49, stalked a congregation member for eight years after she rejected his romantic advances, was caught on CCTV breaking into her home twice

Marie recounted instances where she moved to new residences to escape him, only for Guardia to find her again. On one occasion, she returned home to find him inside, using her laptop. When confronted, he dismissed her concerns and refused to leave until she threatened to call the police.

Despite these experiences, she refrained from reporting him earlier, fearing his influence as a pastor at one of the country’s most powerful Baptist churches. She also noticed unauthorized access to her online accounts, including login attempts linked to Liberty University.

Guardia was a former pastor at the Thomas Road Baptist Church founded by Jerry Falwell who died in 2007

Following the break-ins, Guardia was arrested and charged within hours. However, he was released after posting a $5,000 bond, spending only four days in jail. Marie remains fearful despite a protective order against him.

Church leaders have continued to support Guardia, with executive pastor Matt Wilmington testifying as a character witness during his bond hearing. Marie now hopes that sharing her story will shed light on the case and alert those who continue to defend him.

While out of town, Marie got a notification from her CCTV security cameras at 11.30pm on November 10 that someone was walking through the door and creeping around the kitchen

“I want them to know that a jury found him guilty on all three counts,” she said. “He is now a convicted felon, and I want people to understand the seriousness of what he did.”

A pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 20, while Thomas Road Baptist Church has not issued a public response regarding the case.

When Marie reported the break-in, officers arrived, guns drawn, and searched every inch of the house, including bedrooms, closets and even kitchen cabinets