An Atlanta felon’s car theft spree ended in a 15-year prison sentence after he shot at an FBI Task Force officer, narrowly missing the agent’s head.
At a Glance
- Keith Pharms sentenced to over 15 years for assaulting a federal officer during a car theft
- Incident occurred just 8 days after Pharms’ release from state prison
- Pharms fired multiple shots at officers during a high-speed chase
- Case highlights importance of multi-agency collaboration in combating violent crime
Atlanta Car Theft Turns Violent
In a brazen act of violence, Keith Pharms, also known as “B-Boy,” led a car theft operation in Atlanta that quickly escalated into a dangerous confrontation with law enforcement. On February 24, 2022, just eight days after his release from a Georgia state prison, Pharms orchestrated the theft of a Dodge Charger from a midtown Atlanta garage, using his mother’s Chevrolet SS as part of the scheme.
The FBI Task Force, which had been monitoring the area due to a recent spike in vehicle thefts, quickly responded to the incident. As officers pursued the stolen vehicles, Pharms opened fire, unleashing multiple shots at the law enforcement officers. In a particularly harrowing moment, one of Pharms’ shots narrowly missed an officer’s headrest, underscoring the extreme danger posed to the lives of those sworn to protect and serve.
Car thief who shot at FBI agent gets 15 years in federal prisonhttps://t.co/DFdocKdJXX
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution (@ajc) December 20, 2024
Swift Justice and Severe Consequences
Following a brief escape, both stolen vehicles were abandoned, leading to a subsequent law enforcement raid. This operation resulted in the arrest of Pharms and his accomplice, Jokava Harris. Authorities also seized guns, ammunition, and auto theft equipment during the raid, effectively dismantling the criminal operation.
“Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer is dangerous and an extreme threat to public safety. Stopping violent criminals, like Pharms, is one of the most important things we can do to protect our communities. Thankfully, no one—including our Task Force officer—was injured during Pharms’ act of terror. Atlanta is a safer community with him off the streets,” Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta said.
Pharms’ legal troubles were compounded by his actions while awaiting trial. He used a contraband cellphone to post a witness’s information on social media, alongside a picture of a rat, in an apparent attempt to intimidate. Additionally, a handcuff key was discovered in Pharms’ cell, suggesting a potential escape attempt. These actions likely contributed to the severity of his sentence.
A Strong Message to Violent Offenders
The case against Pharms was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and the community. The successful prosecution and sentencing of Pharms send a clear message about the consequences of violent crime and assaults on law enforcement officers.
“Pharms is a repeat violent offender who callously threatened the safety of citizens and a law enforcement officer. Our office is grateful for the exemplary collaborative efforts and sacrificial service of our federal and local law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to especially protect our communities from dangerous criminals,” U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said.
