JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A circuit judge has issued a preliminary order immediately removing Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston from her duties after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a quo warranto petition accusing Johnston of repeated misconduct that, the state says, undermined the prosecutor’s office and put public safety at risk.
What the attorney general alleges
The petition, filed in Ray County Circuit Court and handled by senior lawyers in the attorney general’s office, says Johnston “knowingly and willfully” failed to perform her duties. The filing lists several allegations the state says demonstrate misconduct.
- Creating a hostile workplace by verbally berating staff and fostering a culture of fear and intimidation.
- Maintaining intimate relationships with persons connected to cases processed by the office, including a criminal defense attorney and multiple defendants.
- An allegation that she transferred the title of her vehicle to a person who was being prosecuted for sexual assault and who was undocumented, purportedly aiding that person’s flight.
- Firing an employee after discovering an intimate relationship between that employee and a prospective defendant.
"Elected officials are expected to follow the law and put the public first," Attorney General Hanaway said in a statement announcing the filing.
Temporary removal and next steps
The judge’s order is preliminary: it suspends Johnston while the quo warranto case proceeds. The lawsuit will determine whether her removal becomes permanent. The attorney general’s office said the action is being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Ted Bruce and George Lankford, leader of the Sexually Violent Predator Unit.
Quo warranto is a legal mechanism the attorney general can use to seek removal of a public official accused of forfeiting their office through misconduct, abuse of duty or willful neglect. The preliminary removal does not resolve the underlying factual disputes; it pauses Johnston’s role as prosecutor pending the court’s final decision.
Local impact and wider implications
Ray County residents and court users can expect immediate operational changes in the prosecutor’s office while the litigation continues. Cases that were being handled by the county prosecutor may be reassigned or delayed depending on administrative steps taken by the court and the county. The petition frames the dispute as more than personnel matters, arguing the allegedly improper relationships and conduct directly affected the integrity of prosecutions.
Across Missouri, the case highlights the power of the attorney general’s office to challenge locally elected prosecutors. It also raises questions about office oversight and how counties handle complaints about elected law enforcement officials. For now, Ray County will await further court action to determine whether the temporary removal becomes permanent.
| Allegation category | Source in petition |
|---|---|
| Workplace conduct | Verbal berating; culture of fear |
| Conflicts of interest | Relationships with defense attorney and defendants |
| Official acts aiding a defendant | Transfer of vehicle title alleged |
The court has not yet set a timetable for a final hearing. News Block will continue monitoring filings in Ray County Circuit Court and statements from local officials as the case moves forward.
