Seven months after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested the mayor and three months after the mayor pro tem was arrested, the city clerk in one small town has also been arrested.
The GBI has arrested Pearson City Clerk Patricia Ballard, age 67, of Pearson, Atkinson County, Georgia, with the following felony charges:
- Conspiracy to Commit a Crime
- Conspiracy to Defraud State or Political Subdivision
- Theft by Taking
- Offenses Involving Public Records, Documents, and Other Items
- Violation of Oath by a Public Officer
- False Statements and Writings
Ballard was taken into custody without incident at Pearson City Hall. She was booked into the Atkinson County Jail.
This arrest is a continuation of the investigation that previously led to the arrest of Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson, following a request from the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office to investigate fraudulent activity within the Pearson city government.
This investigation is active and ongoing. More arrests are expected. Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
The Mayor Pro Tem, Jeren Fullmore, was also arrested in June 2025 for allegedly stealing files from Pearson Police. He’s facing charges of Burglary, Theft by Taking, and Making False Statements after reportedly entering the police chief’s office without permission. The Sheriff’s Office was notified and conducted an investigation.
After posting bond, Fullmore posted the following on social media:
“Yes, I was arrested today, and I stand by my actions. I had authorized access to the premises, including the door code. I believe this arrest is politically motivated, and it’s clear that certain individuals feel threatened by my presence and the work I’m doing. There are significant political dynamics at play in this situation.”
Pearson is located in Atkinson County in south Georgia. The population is approximately 1,898 in 2024 and the city encompasses 2.896 mi². The median annual income in Pearson is $30,815.
As previously reported:
