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 during a car theft incident. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized the importance of collaborative law enforcement efforts in protecting communities from violent criminals like Pharms.
Pharms was involved in a car theft on February 24, 2022, just days after his release from state prison. Using his mother's Chevrolet SS, he and co-defendants stole a Dodge Charger from an Atlanta garage. An FBI task force officer observed the vehicles and was fired upon by Pharms while trailing them.
Despite the gunfire, no injuries were reported, and the stolen vehicles were later found abandoned by the Atlanta Police Department. Pharms' co-defendants pleaded guilty and were sentenced accordingly.
While awaiting trial, Pharms possessed contraband cellphones and attempted to intimidate witnesses by posting sensitive information online. A handcuff key was also discovered in his cell.
U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee sentenced Pharms to 15 years, two months, and ten days in prison with an additional three years of supervised release. He was convicted of multiple charges including assault on a federal officer and possession of contraband.
The case was investigated by several agencies including the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Atlanta Police Department with assistance from the 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), aimed at reducing violent crime through community collaboration.
For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.
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