Pearson, Georgia, Mayor Arrested on Multiple Fraud and Corruption Charges

Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson, 49, has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses following an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Johnson faces 21 charges, including:

Criminal Attempt to Commit Hindering or Apprehension or Punishment of Criminal
Three 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
Two counts of False Statements and Writings
Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Taking
Conspiracy in Restraint of Free and Open Competition
Four counts of Conspiracy to Defraud State and Political Subdivision
Theft by Deception
Three counts of Bribery
Two counts of Theft by Taking
Fraud, Forgery, and Theft in Connection with Registration of Title to Land
Filing False Documents
Four counts of Violation of Oath of Office by Public Officer

The Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office initiated the investigation after receiving complaints about Johnson’s alleged fraudulent activities. The GBI investigation uncovered a scheme involving fraudulent documentation to secure the release of an incarcerated individual, kickbacks from city contracts, theft of municipal land, and bribery of city employees.

Johnson was arrested and booked into the Atkinson County Jail before being transferred to Coffee County.

The 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.