A Missouri prosecutor has been removed from office after state officials accused her of a sweeping pattern of misconduct that they say compromised criminal prosecutions and violated the public’s trust.
Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston was removed from her position as legal proceedings continue, according to an announcement from Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office.
“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,” Hanaway said in a statement.
“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.”
WILD
Ray County, Missouri Prosecutor Camille Johnston was REMOVED from her position for allegedly sleeping with an illegal alien who was being prosecuted for sexual assault in her district pic.twitter.com/G2mPEfi9gQ
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 20, 2026
The allegations outlined by the attorney general’s office are extensive. Among them are claims that Johnston maintained a romantic relationship with a defense attorney who represented defendants being prosecuted by her office and later became romantically involved with a man accused of a violent sexual offense while authorities were attempting to locate him.
During a press conference, Hanaway sharply criticized Johnston’s conduct.
“She used the court docket as her dating app,” Hanaway said, according to KTVI-TV. “She has breached the public trust in every way.”
Hanaway added that the allegations include behavior that courthouse employees allegedly witnessed firsthand.
“It’s unbelievable behavior, including … members of the courthouse walking in on her during one of these incidents,” she said.
According to Hanaway, the state pursued Johnston’s removal after she declined to resign voluntarily.
The formal complaint alleges Johnston “engaged in an intimate and romantic relationship” with an attorney identified only as T.T., who represented criminal defendants prosecuted by Johnston’s office. State officials contend the relationship was intentionally concealed from both the public and the defendants involved in those cases.
The complaint argues that the relationship created an obvious conflict of interest. Under those circumstances, Johnston should have sought the appointment of a special prosecutor for any case involving her romantic partner, according to the filing. Instead, investigators allege she continued handling those prosecutions herself.
Missouri AG Removes Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston
– Engaged in an intimate and romantic relationship with a criminal defense attorney representing numerous criminal defendants in matters prosecuted by Johnston;
– Engaged in an intimate and romantic relationship with a… pic.twitter.com/4cJ9dYw7qY
— Suhr Majesty (@ULTRA_MAJESTY) July 19, 2026
The allegations involving another man, identified only as J.G., are even more serious.
According to the complaint, J.G. became the subject of a criminal investigation in 2020 after being accused of committing a sexual offense. The filing alleges Johnston either began or was already involved in a romantic relationship with him while he was under investigation.
The complaint further states that Johnston knew J.G. was a Mexican citizen who had been living in the United States illegally since 2019.
State officials allege Johnston again failed to remove herself from matters involving someone with whom she had a personal relationship. The complaint also claims that while law enforcement officers were attempting to locate J.G., Johnston failed to disclose that she knew where he was.
Instead, investigators allege Johnston traveled to Mississippi to visit J.G. after he had fled the state. The complaint also states the two later vacationed together in Florida.
Authorities ultimately arrested J.G. in 2024. According to the complaint, Johnston had transferred the title of her personal vehicle to him the previous year.
