A Missouri prosecutor has been removed from office after state officials accused her of a pattern of misconduct that they say compromised the integrity of the criminal justice system and endangered public safety.
Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston was suspended from her duties as removal proceedings continue, according to an announcement from Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office.
The state alleges Johnston repeatedly violated ethical obligations, failed to disclose conflicts of interest, and placed personal relationships ahead of her responsibilities as the county’s chief prosecutor.
“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
Speaking to reporters, Hanaway said Johnston refused to resign, leaving the state with little choice but to seek her removal through the courts.
Among the most serious allegations is that Johnston carried on a romantic relationship with a defense attorney identified in court filings only as T.T., who represented criminal defendants prosecuted by her office.
According to the state’s complaint, Johnston concealed the relationship from both the public and criminal defendants whose cases could have been affected by the conflict.
Missouri officials argue that the relationship created an obvious conflict of interest requiring Johnston to recuse herself and request the appointment of a special prosecutor whenever her romantic partner represented a defendant. Instead, the complaint alleges she continued handling those cases herself.
Hanaway sharply criticized Johnston’s alleged conduct, saying she “used the court docket as her dating app.”
“It’s unbelievable behavior, including … members of the courthouse walking in on her during one of these incidents,” Hanaway said, according to KTVI.
The complaint also details allegations involving another romantic relationship, this time with a man identified only as J.G., who authorities describe as both an undocumented immigrant and the subject of a sexual assault investigation.
According to the filing, Johnston either began or continued an intimate relationship with J.G. while he was under criminal investigation.
The complaint alleges Johnston knew he was living in the United States illegally after entering the country in 2019. Despite that knowledge, prosecutors say she never sought to disqualify herself from matters involving him, even though her personal relationship created another clear conflict of interest.
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
State officials further allege Johnston failed to tell law enforcement she knew where J.G. was while officers were attempting to locate him.
According to the complaint, J.G. fled Missouri and traveled to Mississippi. Rather than assisting investigators, Johnston allegedly traveled there to visit him before later vacationing with him in Florida.
The complaint also alleges Johnston transferred the title to her personal vehicle to J.G. in 2023.
Authorities eventually arrested him in 2024.
The allegations outlined by the attorney general’s office remain accusations that will be addressed through the legal process. Johnston will have the opportunity to respond to the claims as the removal proceedings continue.
Even so, the scope of the allegations has drawn significant attention because they involve claims that a prosecutor—whose job is to impartially enforce the law—repeatedly placed herself in situations where her personal relationships allegedly conflicted with her official duties.
