LYNCHBURG, VA – A Lynchburg woman was left in shock and fear after discovering that the man breaking into her home was someone she once trusted implicitly: her church pastor. The unsettling incident was captured on security footage, revealing the identity of the intruder as Sergio Guardia, a 49-year-old pastor at the Thomas Road Baptist Church, a prominent mega-church in the area.
Marie Columnus, the homeowner, recognized Guardia immediately as he was caught on camera wandering through her kitchen. “To see someone you once trusted in your home without your knowledge is terrifying,” she said. The revelation was even more disturbing given the pastor’s role as a spiritual leader to thousands.
Guardia and his wife were well-acquainted with Columnus and her family. The pastor had been a charismatic figure in the community, known for his warm demeanor and spiritual guidance. However, following Columnus’s divorce, she noticed a change in his behavior. “He started showing up unexpectedly at my house, sometimes bringing groceries,” she recalled, noting that his visits were often unannounced and occurred when her children were not home.
The breaking point came when Columnus, away for the weekend with her two children, checked her security system’s live feed. To her horror, she saw Guardia entering her daughter’s bedroom. “I couldn’t believe it was him,” she said. Acting swiftly, she contacted the police, who responded with urgency.
Authorities arrived at the scene with weapons drawn and a police dog, but Guardia had already fled. Despite his escape, law enforcement’s swift action led to his capture and subsequent charges of burglary and stalking. Guardia has since been found guilty of these charges.
The incident has sent ripples through the Thomas Road Baptist Church community, where Guardia was a respected figure. Church officials confirmed that he is no longer employed by the church, as the congregation grapples with the betrayal of trust.
For Columnus, the experience has been a harrowing ordeal. “It’s been incredibly difficult to process,” she admitted, reflecting on the unexpected betrayal by someone she once admired. The community continues to support her, rallying around her family during this challenging time.