Ryan K. Buchanan U.S. Attorney | US Attorney's office Northern District of Georgia
Keith Pharms, known as "B-Boy," has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for assaulting a federal task force officer with a firearm during a car theft in Atlanta. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, "Pharms is a repeat violent offender who callously threatened the safety of citizens and a law enforcement officer."
On February 24, 2022, eight days after his release from state prison, Pharms used his mother's car to steal a Dodge Charger from a garage in midtown Atlanta. Accompanied by an 18-year-old co-defendant and Jokava Harris, they executed the theft using a key programmer. An FBI task force officer monitoring stolen car activity observed the vehicles and was fired upon by Pharms as he followed them.
Despite the gunfire, which narrowly missed the officer's headrest, the pursuit continued until both vehicles were abandoned by Pharms and his accomplices. They were later apprehended; Pharms' co-defendants pleaded guilty and were sentenced.
During detention, Pharms possessed contraband cellphones and posted witness information on social media. A handcuff key found in his cell raised escape concerns.
U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee sentenced Pharms to 15 years, two months, and 10 days in prison followed by three years of supervised release after his conviction on multiple charges including assault on a federal officer and possession of an escape tool.
The investigation involved collaboration between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Atlanta Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Plummer and Jessica C. Morris prosecuted the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through community cooperation.
For more details, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.
