A Missouri judge has temporarily stripped Ray County Prosecuting Attorney Camille Johnston of her authority after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a petition alleging Johnston engaged in multiple conflicts of interest involving criminal cases, including an alleged prior romantic relationship with an illegal immigrant facing felony sex crime charges, as reported by Fox News.

The attorney general's petition for quo warranto seeks Johnston's removal from office and alleges a pattern of misconduct involving several criminal matters handled by the Ray County Prosecutor's Office.

According to Hanaway's office, a judge granted a preliminary order preventing Johnston from exercising the duties of prosecutor while the case proceeds.

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 attorney general's office told Fox News Digital that Johnston "is not allowed to take any actions in any official capacity" and that, unless reinstated during the litigation, "at this time, she is no longer Ray County Prosecuting Attorney."

Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement

In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, Hanaway said the allegations justify Johnston's removal from 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.

"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 petition alleges Johnston failed to recuse herself from matters involving Juan David Gutierrez, an illegal immigrant who is facing felony sex offense charges in Ray County.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

According to the attorney general's office, Johnston and Gutierrez previously lived together and had been involved in a romantic relationship before Johnston assumed office on Jan. 1, 2023.

The filing states Johnston was informed as early as Sept. 15, 2020, that Gutierrez was a suspect in a Ray County sexual assault investigation.

According to the petition, he is currently awaiting trial on felony sex offense charges, although the case has been placed on hold pending an appeal in another matter.

Hanaway's office said Johnston "failed to recuse during the investigation" involving Gutierrez. A local court later appointed the Missouri Attorney General's Office to prosecute the case.

The petition further alleges Johnston knew Gutierrez's immigration status for several years and was aware he had been in the United States illegally since 2019.

According to the filing, Johnston knew where Gutierrez was after he left Missouri but did not provide that information to law enforcement.

The petition also alleges she visited him in Mississippi, vacationed with him in Florida, and transferred the title of her vehicle to him in 2023.

The attorney general alleges those actions helped Gutierrez leave Ray County while he was under criminal investigation.

Local television station KSHB reported that the Missouri State Highway Patrol submitted investigative findings to the attorney general's office in 2020, but prosecutors declined charges and closed the case in 2022.

According to KSHB, the investigation resumed after a private investigator reviewing cold cases alerted then-Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers, who contacted the attorney general's office in 2023 with additional information that could assist in locating Gutierrez.

Johnston's attorney, Chad Gardner, did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

The petition also alleges Johnston maintained an undisclosed romantic relationship with a Ray County criminal defense attorney who represented defendants in cases prosecuted by her office.

According to the filing, Johnston neither disclosed the relationship nor sought appointment of a special prosecutor in those matters.

In a separate allegation, the petition claims Johnston was involved in a romantic relationship with a man charged in a Ray County domestic violence case.

According to the filing, local law enforcement later requested a special prosecutor after learning of the alleged relationship, resulting in Johnston's disqualification from that prosecution.

Beyond the alleged conflicts involving criminal cases, the attorney general's petition accuses Johnston of creating what it described as an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the prosecutor's office by verbally berating employees.

The filing also alleges Johnston retaliated against an employee who became aware of one of the alleged relationships by terminating that employee after learning they knew about the matter.

According to the petition, Johnston recognized the potential conflicts created by the alleged relationships but continued the conduct, failed to disclose the information and "falsely denied the existence" of the relationships when questioned.

Hanaway's office said it stands by the allegations contained in the petition but declined to comment on whether any criminal charges could result from the investigation.

The court proceedings regarding Johnston's removal from office remain ongoing.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.