Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson, who was arrested by agents from the GBI on February 6, 2025, on a variety of felony charges, has been granted a $75,000 bond. The bond was granted on March 6, 2025.
There are several conditions of the bond, most of which are standard. However, there is one interesting condition of his release: He must wear an ankle monitor at all times and if he goes into Pearson City Hall, he has to be accompanied by law enforcement.
Johnson is still mayor of Pearson. He will remain mayor until he is indicted, convicted, pleads guilty to felony charges, or a governor’s panel suspends him.
Johnson was arrested on 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.