Georgia mayor charged with dozens of counts including violating oath of office, bribery, fraud

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson, 49, following an investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery, and other criminal activities.

According to the GBI, the inquiry began after the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office received complaints regarding Johnson’s alleged involvement in fraudulent schemes. The district attorney’s office then requested the GBI’s assistance in reviewing the claims. During the investigation, agents uncovered a series of alleged crimes, including an attempt to secure the release of an incarcerated individual using falsified documents, misappropriation of city funds through kickbacks, theft of municipal property, and bribery of city employees.

As a result, Johnson faces a laundry list of charges, including:

• Criminal Attempt to Commit Hindering the Apprehension or Punishment of a Criminal
• Influencing Witnesses (3 counts)
• Criminal Solicitation to Commit False Statements and Writings
• Criminal Solicitation to Commit False Official Certificates or Writings
• False Statements and Writings (2 counts)
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Taking
• Conspiracy in Restraint of Free and Open Competition
• Conspiracy to Defraud State and Political Subdivision (4 counts)
• Theft by Deception
• Bribery (3 counts)
• Theft by Taking (2 counts)
• Fraud, Forgery, and Theft in Connection with Registration of Title to Land
• Filing False Documents
• Violation of Oath of Office by a Public Officer (4 counts)

Following his arrest, Johnson was booked into the Atkinson County Jail and has since been transferred to Coffee County. The GBI has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests may follow. Authorities urge anyone with information related to the case to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103.

In a December 2024 post to Facebook, Johnson wrote out racism "isn’t a think of the past in South GA, especially in good old Atkinson County," the county in which Pearson lies. "What kills me is the suppose to be Christian’s are the absolute worst. I might not say anything but I’m not fooled," the post added. Another post from June stated that he wanted to stand for his mayoral photo in the council meeting room, stating, "I needed the whole world to see this WHOLE NEGRO!! Our ancestors fought and died for me to be where I am standing. Business man and the Mayor of the City I was born and raised in," adding, "Happy Juneteenth."