The GBI has arrested and charged Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson, age 49, of Pearson, Atkinson County, GA, with the following charges:
- Criminal Attempt to Commit Hindering or Apprehension or Punishment of Criminal
- 3 counts of Influencing Witnesses
- Criminal Solicitation to Commit False Statements and Writings
- Criminal Solicitation to Commit False Official Certificates or Writings by Officers or Employees of a State and Political Subdivision
- 2 counts of False Statements and Writings
- Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Taking
- Conspiracy in Restraint of Free and Open Competition
- 4 counts of Conspiracy to Defraud State and Political Subdivision
- Theft by Deception
- 3 counts of Bribery
- 2 counts of Theft by Taking
- Fraud, Forgery, and Theft in Connection with Registration of Title to Land
- Filing False Documents
- 4 counts of Violation of Oath of Office by Public Officer
The investigation began when the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office received complaints of Mayor Johnson participating in fraudulent activities. The District Attorney subsequently requested the GBI to look into these allegations. During the investigation, agents uncovered a scheme to have an incarcerated person released from jail through fraudulent documentation, obtaining kickbacks from city contracts, theft of municipal land, and bribery of city employees.
Johnson was booked into the Atkinson County Jail and is currently being housed in Coffee County.
This investigation is active and ongoing. More arrests are expected. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.