Ray County prosecutor out over misconduct allegations. What comes next?
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- Missouri AG filed a writ of quo warranto to remove Ray County prosecutor Camille Johnston.
- A judge barred Johnston from the prosecutor’s office and courthouse unless authorized.
- The petition alleges Johnston mistreated staff and had improper intimate relationships.
A day after a judge approved a preliminary order immediately removing the Ray County prosecutor from her post, questions centered on what happens now.
The office of Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a civil petition — known as a writ of quo warranto — Thursday to remove Camille Johnston from the Ray County prosecutor’s post, alleging misconduct. That misconduct included allegations she mistreated her staff and had inappropriate intimate relationships.
After the judge approved the order on Thursday, the county prosecutor had 10 days to respond, said Stephanie Whitaker, a spokesperson with the Attorney General’s Office.
“If she does respond, it would be up to the judge to put a scheduling hearing on the calendar,” Whitaker said.
The Star could not reach Johnston for comment. And a message left with the Ray County prosecutor’s office was not immediately returned. Neither were an email and phone message left with the county commission office.
Johnston took office as the prosecutor on Jan. 1, 2015, the Ray County Clerk said. Ray County is about 45 miles northeast of Kansas City.
According to the judge’s preliminary order, Johnston is not allowed to enter the prosecutor’s office, Ray County Courthouse, “nor conduct any business with that office, unless expressly authorized by this court.”
What is a quo warranto?
Under state law, the attorney general has the authority to file a writ of quo warranto to remove officials who “abuse their authority or neglect their duties,” according to information from the Attorney General’s Office. This process requires the state to prove “that the official has violated their oath, failed to perform required duties, or acted unlawfully.”
“Historically, quo warranto actions addressed misconduct ranging from corruption and refusal to enforce the law to abandonment of duties or criminal behavior,” literature from the AG’s office said. “In many cases, the filing of the action prompted resignation, allowing the state to quickly return to stable leadership without the need for extended litigation.”
In the petition, Hanaway alleged that Johnston verbally berated her staff and “engaged in an intimate and romantic relationship” with a criminal defense attorney representing “defendants in matters prosecuted by Johnston.”
The attorney general also alleged that Johnston had relationships with a “prospective defendant” and an immigrant without legal status who was being prosecuted for alleged sexual assault in the county, according to the news release.
It also alleged that Johnston terminated an employee who discovered her relationship with the “prospective defendant.” She allegedly gave the immigrant the title to her vehicle “to assist him in absconding.”
“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,” Hanaway said. “It’s a necessity.”
The release went on to say that the office took such action “to protect the citizens of Ray County and to restore integrity to an office that has been compromised.”
Complaints reviewed
The Attorney General’s Office receives a “number of complaints against local officials,” Whitaker said. And from there, attorneys look into the concerns.
Regarding the Ray County prosecutor, Whitaker said, “this is something that we’ve had complaints that sort of spanned through the prior administration.” And through the transition, she said, those complaints continued to be reviewed.
Whitaker said she could not comment on when the first complaints were submitted, or what they were about.
“Our office won’t be providing further comment into the complaints we’ve received,” Whitaker said. “They’re related to our pending lawsuit.”
This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 5:16 PM.
