Keith Pharms, known by his alias "B-Boy," has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison following a February 2022 altercation in which he fired a gun at an FBI task force officer during an attempted car theft. The incident occurred shortly after Pharms' release from a prior incarceration, marking a swift return to criminal activity, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
According to officials in a press release, this case highlights the ongoing partnership between various law enforcement agencies aimed at confronting violent crime in Atlanta. During the incident, no officers were harmed, although an officer's vehicle was struck by gunfire, narrowly missing its target. The incident was quickly followed by the successful apprehension of Pharms and his confederates. "Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer is dangerous and an extreme threat to public safety," said Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, Sean Burke. "Thankfully, no one—including our Task Force officer—was injured during Pharms' act of terror," he added, expressing collective relief while reaffirming the threat Pharms posed to the community. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Jones also stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation to maintain public safety and bring violent offenders to justice.
The events leading to Pharms' arrest began when an 18-year-old co-defendant used Keith Pharms' mother's car to follow a freshly stolen Dodge Charger, with Pharms acting as armed cover, while a firearm was discharged in an attempt to evade an FBI task force officer who was conducting surveillance and was led into an ambush.
Although Pharms initially evaded capture by fleeing on foot after abandoning the involved vehicles, the persistent efforts of the Atlanta Police Department, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service eventually led to his arrest, along with those of his accomplices. Pharms also faced additional charges after being found with contraband cellphones and a handcuff key while in custody, which underscored officials' concerns about his potential for escape and ongoing criminal intent. "Gun violence remains a threat to the safety and security of our communities," emphasized ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Jones in a press release, highlighting a resolve to continue efforts against such acts.
The sentencing on September 26, by U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee, saw Pharms convicted of an array of charges, including assault on a federal officer and possessing firearms as a felon. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Plummer and Jessica C. Morris, part of the broader Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative which strives to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering cooperation between law enforcement and communities.
