South Georgia Mayor Arrested for Allegedly Attempting to Fraudulently Release Inmate, Stealing City Land, a resident listed in public arrest records, was taken into custody on April 2, 2025, in Featured County, Georgia. According to the official booking report, the arrest was made by local authorities and the subject was charged with the following offense(s): unspecified charges. This incident was officially recorded and made publicly available by law enforcement agencies in the state of Georgia. The details provided reflect the arrest information at the time of booking and do not indicate guilt or conviction. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
ATKINSON COUNTY, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested and charged Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson, 49, in connection with a wide-ranging corruption case involving fraud, bribery, and theft.
Johnson faces numerous charges, including:
- Criminal Attempt to Commit Hindering or Apprehension or Punishment of a 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 the State and a 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 a Public Officer
The investigation began after the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office received multiple complaints regarding Johnson’s involvement in fraudulent activities. The DA’s office requested the GBI to launch an investigation, which uncovered an alleged scheme involving attempts to fraudulently secure an inmate’s release, kickbacks from city contracts, theft of municipal land, and bribery of city employees.
Johnson was taken into custody and booked into the Atkinson County Jail before being transferred to Coffee County.
Authorities say the investigation remains active, and additional 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 gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or through the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app.
Once the investigation concludes, the case will be turned over to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Disclaimer: All data provided here is taken from public arrest records. This publication does not imply guilt or final conviction.
More Arrests in Featured on April 2, 2025
No other arrests found on this date in Featured.
