SAVANNAH, Georgia: A Savannah man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to carjacking and to using a firearm during a crime of violence.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker and announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Donald Palmer, 42, of Savannah, was sentenced to 162 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Carjacking and Using and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. There is no parole in the federal system. As described in court documents and testimony, in December 2025, Palmer carjacked a victim at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Nancy’s Seafood restaurant located on West Bay St. Savannah Police officers responded to the scene and the victim provided a description of Palmer and her vehicle information. While the investigation was still ongoing, an additional call to police reported that the vehicle had crashed and Palmer attempted to flee prior to the arrival of law enforcement. A good Samaritan at the crash location assisted arriving officers in apprehending Palmer a short distance from the crashed vehicle. The firearm that Palmer used during the crime was discovered in the vehicle.
Video surveillance at the restaurant provided the visual identity of the suspect and shows Palmer using the firearm to carjack the victim before speeding away in the vehicle. “Violent crime has no place in our communities, and this sentence ensures a dangerous individual is removed from our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “Thanks to the swift action of the Savannah Police Department and the commendable bravery of a good Samaritan, this armed carjacker was quickly apprehended before he could inflict further harm. We will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners and vigilant citizens to hold violent offenders accountable."
This case was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Savannah Police Department. “Carjackings are a senseless but serious and violent crime that threaten the lives of unsuspecting victims,” said Brad Snider, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Savannah office. “Residents along coastal Georgia can be assured the FBI, along with our state and local partners, work together to protect the innocent and bring justice to those who commit violent acts like this.”
This case was prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Makeia R. Jonese.