PEARSON, Ga. (WALB) - Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson, 49, was arrested Thursday morning by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

According to the GBI, 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 plan 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 faces several charges including:

• 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

Johnson was booked into the Atkinson County Jail and is currently being held in Coffee County.

Neighbors in the community have mixed feelings about Johnson’s arrest.

“I’m glad they finally caught up to him. He been doing this for years,” Pearson resident.

Another resident said, “He is a good man. I hate this happened to our mayor.”

A source close to the city tells WALB, Johnson’s secretary was possibly included in this mornings raid.

“They also got mayor secretary, so we don’t know if she was involved or anyone else at city hall knew exactly what he was doing,” the source said.

Pearson resident said, “I didn’t realize this was happening basically under our nose.”

The investigation is still active and ongoing.

WALB waiting to confirm whether anyone else was arrested or is facing charges in connection to the mayor’s long list of crimes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103.

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