Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston removed for alleged misconduct

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced her office has filed a petition for a writ of quo warranto, seeking to remove Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston from office.

Following the petition, a judge approved a preliminary order that immediately removed Johnston as prosecutor pending the outcome of the lawsuit.

“When an elected official treats public office like their personal playground, betraying the public trust, ignoring legal obligations, and putting self-interest first, removal isn’t a suggestion; it’s a necessity,” said Attorney General Hanaway. “Johnston’s record reflects a sustained pattern of misconduct and willful neglect that has undermined the integrity of the prosecutor’s office and poses a serious threat to public safety. In Missouri, public office is public trust, not a personal entitlement, and no one is above accountability.”

The Attorney General's office said it is taking action to protect the citizens of Ray County and restore the integrity of the office.

The petition asserts that Johnston knowingly and willingly failed to do her duties as a prosecutor, after she:

• Created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation by verbally berating her staff and employees
• Engaged in intimate and romantic relationships with a criminal defense attorney representing numerous criminal defendants
• Engaged in intimate and romantic relationships with a prospective defendant and terminated the employee after discovering the relationship
• Engaged in intimate and romantic relationships with an undocumented immigrant who was being prosecuted for sexual assault
• In each of these situations, she recognized the impropriety of the relationship, but continued anyway

Under Missouri law, the Attorney General is authorized to file a petition for a writ of quo warranto to remove an official who has unlawfully held office or forfeited it through willful neglect, abuse of duty or misconduct.