The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced on Thursday that Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson was arrested and charged with fraud, bribery, theft, violation of his oath of office, and multiple other crimes.
In a Thursday press release, the GBI confirmed that the 49-year-old Pearson mayor had been arrested and charged with four counts of the violation of an oath of office by a public officer, four counts of conspiracy to defraud state and political subdivision, three counts of influencing witnesses, three counts of bribery, two counts of theft by taking, and two counts of false statements and writings.
According to the GBI, Johnson was also charged with filing false documents, theft by deception, criminal attempt to commit theft by taking, conspiracy in restraint of free and open competition, criminal solicitation to commit false statements and writings, criminal attempt to commit hindering of apprehension of the punishment of a criminal, criminal solicitation to commit false official certificates or writings by officers or employees of a state and political subdivision, and fraud, forgery, and theft in connection with registration of title to land.
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In Thursday’s press release, the GBI explained that the investigation into Johnson started after the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office received complaints that the Pearson mayor had engaged in “fraudulent activities.” After the attorney’s office received the complaints, the district attorney requested that the GBI investigate the allegations against Johnson.
“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,” the GBI stated.
Following Johnson’s arrest, the mayor was booked into Atkinson County Jail before being transferred to Coffee County, according to the GBI.
The GBI confirmed on Thursday that the investigation into the 49-year-old Pearson mayor remains “active and ongoing.” Law enforcement officials also noted that additional arrests are expected as a result of the investigation.
A picture of Johnson was shared on X, formerly Twitter, by Post Millennial editor Andy Ngo. Ngo also shared a pair of social media posts from Johnson.
In one of the posts, Johnson claimed, “Racism isn’t a thing of the past in South Ga, especially in good old Atkinson County.” In another post, Johnson wrote, “I needed the whole world to see this WHOLE NEGRO!! Our ancestors fought and died for me to be where I am standing.”