Man Charged with Impersonating Clarke County Supervisor

Jury trial scheduled for April 14 in alleged September 2025 incident.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a telephone handset against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the impersonal, investigative nature of an alleged impersonation crime.A harsh flash photograph of a telephone handset highlights the impersonal, investigative nature of an alleged impersonation crime.Murray Today

A Murray, Iowa man named Mark D. Johnson is accused of impersonating a Clarke County Supervisor in a phone call to the Taylor County Auditor's Office last September. Johnson allegedly identified himself as 'Dean', a Clarke County Supervisor, and was provided information during the call. He has been charged with impersonating a public official, an aggravated misdemeanor offense.

Why it matters

Impersonating a public official is a serious crime that can undermine public trust in local government. This case highlights the importance of government officials and employees verifying the identity of callers before providing sensitive information.

The details

According to court documents, on September 3, 2025, Johnson called the Taylor County Auditor's Office and claimed to be 'Dean', a Clarke County Supervisor, in order to request information about former Taylor County Engineer Justin Savage, who now serves as Decatur County Engineer. The Taylor County Auditor provided Johnson with the requested information during the call. On January 23, 2026, Clarke County Attorney Johanna Olson filed trial information against Johnson for the impersonation charge. Olson also filed a motion for a special prosecutor, citing the victim's close working relationship with the Clarke County Attorney's Office.

  • On September 3, 2025, Johnson allegedly called the Taylor County Auditor's Office.
  • On January 23, 2026, charges were filed against Johnson.
  • A jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, April 14, 2026 at the Clarke County Courthouse.

The players

Mark D. Johnson

A Murray, Iowa resident who has been charged with impersonating a Clarke County Supervisor.

Johanna Olson

The Clarke County Attorney who filed the impersonation charge and the motion for a special prosecutor against Johnson.

Alex Crabb

The Warren County Assistant Attorney who will prosecute the case as the special prosecutor.

Dean Robins

The actual District 1 Supervisor for Clarke County, who Johnson is accused of impersonating.

Justin Savage

The former Taylor County Engineer who now serves as the Decatur County Engineer and is shared with Clarke County.

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What they’re saying

“The victim in the matter has a close working relationship with the Clarke County Attorney's Office and as such Olson would like to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest.”

— Johanna Olson, Clarke County Attorney

What’s next

A motion in limine has been filed by Johnson's attorney to exclude or limit certain evidence and testimony ahead of the jury trial on April 14.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of government officials and employees verifying the identity of callers before providing sensitive information, in order to maintain public trust and prevent potential abuse of authority.