Modesto Man Sentenced to over 8 Years in Prison for Assaulting a Fresno Social Security Guard

FRESNO, Calif. — Matthew Faron Blair, 33, of Modesto, was sentenced today to eight years and nine months in prison for forcibly assaulting a federal government contract security guard assigned to protect the Social Security Administration office in downtown Fresno, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on October 14, 2014, Blair went to the Social Security Administration office in Fresno to attempt to collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. When advised that his benefits had stopped but could be renewed by completing additional paperwork, Blair became agitated and a security guard was called to escort him out of the office. As he was being escorted out of the office, Blair physically assaulted the guard. As a result of the assault, the guard suffered injury to the head and mouth, which required medical treatment.

In sentencing the defendant, Chief U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill considered Blair’s lengthy criminal history.

This case was the product of an investigation by Federal Protective Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Adult Parole Operations, and Stockton Police Department assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.