Photo: Lynchburg Police Department
A former megachurch pastor faces up to 10 years in jail after stalking and breaking into the home of a female congregation member.
Sergio Guardia, 49, who worked as a minister at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, was convicted on two counts of burglary and one count stalking earlier this month, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY last week. Guardia was caught on surveillance video entering the home of Marie Columna when she was out of town during two consecutive days in November 2023.
Columna received a phone notification telling her a man was inside her home at the time of the incident.
“I just was yelling, 'There's a guy in my house,'" she said via USA TODAY.
"I do feel like I've gotten my power back, power that he took," she added when addressing Guardia's conviction.
Columna had previously told WSET-TV that Guardia was her pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church's Spanish-language campus prior to her leaving the church in 2016, which she said was due to her repeatedly making her feel uncomfortable after her divorce from her ex-husband.
“It all started when my divorce was finalized," she said. "He was coming to my house ... to help me."
Columna said Guardia followed a pattern of stalking for about six years prior to being caught on camera inside her home. The victim said she was frustrated by the church's response to her allegations made against Guardia.
"Their response towards me was negative. They were supportive of him," Columna said, claiming she wanted to help others in similar situations by coming forward.
"As powerful as that position of authority as a pastor may seem and as powerful as that church may seem, (victims) have power, too," she added.
Thomas Road Baptist Church is among the biggest megachurches in the United States, having been founded by Jerry Falwell Sr. and having affiliation to Liberty University.