A 31-year-old Santa Maria man was sentenced to seven years in state prison after pleading guilty in Santa Barbara County Superior Court to attacking a Chick-fil-A employee last month.

Clayton Guy Peavey changed his plea to guilty for a felony count of assault with a deadly weapon and a special allegation of inflicting great bodily injury.

Just before noon on March 2, Peavey attacked a worker taking an order in the drive-through line at the restaurant at 605 E. Betteravia Road.

While the employee spoke to the customer, Peavey walked up behind her and raised a concrete brick over his head, according to Deputy District Attorney Ryan Clausen, who prosecuted the case.

Without any warning, Peavey struck the worker over the head with enough force to break the brick, according to law enforcement officers. 

She fell to the ground and tried to shield herself from the attack with her hand. 

Peavey continued the attack, striking her in the head and hand three more times with the remaining part of the brick before walking away.

The worker had several gashes on her head requiring stitches, a concussion, and broken bones in her hand. 

Peavey initially was charged with attempted murder for the attack. 

His changed plea occurred early in the judicial proceedings and before a preliminary hearing took place. It also meant the victim and witnesses won’t have to testify during a trial.

“While nothing can erase the pain and trauma that this brave victim has been forced to endure as a result of this unprovoked, violent act, the sentence handed down today represents justice and accountability for the inexcusable violent crime that was committed,” District Attorney John T. Savrnoch said.

At the time of the attack, Peavey was on probation for a misdemeanor vandalism conviction from Lompoc. That crime occurred in November 2025 and involved graffiti on a pickup, with the damage adding up to $400 or more.