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Key Facts

• A Missouri judge has barred Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston from exercising the authority of her office while a quo warranto case proceeds.
• Attorney General Catherine Hanaway alleges Johnston concealed romantic relationships that created conflicts involving criminal cases.
• Missouri ultimately seeks Johnston’s removal from office, although the underlying allegations have not been fully adjudicated.

By Samuel López | USA Herald

A Missouri judge has taken the extraordinary step of barring Ray County Prosecuting Attorney Camille Johnston from exercising the powers of her elected office while Attorney General Catherine Hanaway pursues a court action seeking her permanent removal.

The Preliminary Order in Quo Warranto, entered July 16, 2026, grants preliminary relief under Missouri Rule 98.04 and requires Johnston to answer the Attorney General’s petition.

More significantly, pending further order of the court, Johnston is immediately prohibited from engaging in activity or exercising authority as Ray County Prosecuting Attorney. The order also bars her from entering the prosecutor’s offices or Ray County Courthouse, or conducting business with the prosecutor’s office, unless expressly authorized by the court.

The case is State of Missouri ex inf. Catherine Hanaway v. Camille Johnston, Case No. 26RY-CV00635, in the Circuit Court of Ray County.

The order represents a dramatic development, but an important legal distinction remains: the court’s preliminary action does not constitute a final judgment permanently removing Johnston from office or establish that every allegation made against her is true.

Those allegations remain subject to litigation.

Missouri Seeks Forfeiture of Johnston’s Office

Hanaway brought the case through a Petition for Quo Warranto, a legal mechanism allowing the State to challenge a person’s right to hold or exercise public office. The term “quo warranto” is Latin for “by what authority”—as in, “by what authority does this person hold this office?”

Johnston has served as Ray County’s elected prosecuting attorney continuously since January 1, 2023, according to the petition.

The Attorney General relies partly upon § 106.220, RSMo., which provides for forfeiture of office when certain county officials willfully or fraudulently violate or neglect official duties, including knowingly or willfully failing to perform duties involving enforcement of Missouri criminal laws.

The State alleges Johnston’s conduct crossed that line.

Alleged Relationship with Criminal Defense Attorney

One allegation involves an attorney identified as T.T.

According to the petition, T.T. practices in Ray County and has represented criminal defendants against charges filed by Johnston. The Attorney General alleges Johnston and T.T. were simultaneously engaged in an intimate and romantic relationship.

The State claims the relationship was intentionally concealed from the public, defendants and judicial officers.

The Attorney General argues Johnston should have disqualified herself and her office and sought a special prosecutor whenever T.T. represented a defendant prosecuted by her office.

The petition alleges she failed to do so.

Another Alleged Relationship Involved Domestic-Violence Case

The petition describes a second alleged conflict involving an individual identified as C.W.

According to the State, a former employee identified as J.M. learned Johnston was allegedly involved romantically with C.W., described as a prospective defendant accused of domestic violence against his wife.

The Attorney General alleges Johnston fired J.M. after learning the employee knew about the relationship.

Local law enforcement eventually became aware of the alleged relationship and sought appointment of a special prosecutor, according to the filing.

The petition says the circuit court ultimately disqualified Johnston after becoming aware of the allegations concerning the relationship.

Sexual-Assault Suspect at Center of Most Serious Allegations

The State’s allegations involving a third individual, identified as J.G., go substantially further.

According to the petition, Johnston had been, or became, romantically involved with J.G. The Attorney General alleges law-enforcement officers and members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol informed Johnston as early as September 15, 2020, that J.G. was suspected of committing a sexual assault in Ray County.

The State alleges Johnston knew J.G.’s whereabouts but failed to disclose them, later visited him in Mississippi and vacationed with him in Florida.

The petition additionally alleges Johnston drove her vehicle to Mississippi in 2023 and gave J.G. its title. J.G. was arrested in Ohio in 2024 and was awaiting trial on sexual offenses, including felony charges, when the petition was prepared.

Those allegations against J.G. should likewise not be interpreted as findings of guilt.

Attorney General Alleges Johnston Helped J.G. Abscond

Perhaps the petition’s most serious accusation is that Johnston assisted J.G. in absconding while knowing he was accused of a sexual offense and under investigation.

The Attorney General alleges that assistance included making a vehicle available so J.G. could avoid detection or apprehension. The State further claims Johnston withheld information from the alleged victim, law enforcement and her own office.

The petition asserts Johnston’s alleged conduct “likely” implicates Missouri statutes prohibiting acceding to corruption under § 576.020 and hindering prosecution under § 575.030.

The State characterizes the alleged conduct as potentially constituting Class D and Class E felonies, respectively.

Those assertions are allegations and legal theories contained in a civil quo warranto petition — not criminal convictions.

From Allegations to an Extraordinary Court Order

What makes the case particularly significant now is that the controversy has moved beyond allegations contained on paper.

A judge has already restricted Johnston’s ability to exercise prosecutorial power while the litigation proceeds.

But temporary restriction and permanent removal are legally different.

The Attorney General contends Johnston’s alleged willful violations and neglect of official responsibilities trigger § 106.220 and result in forfeiture of office.

The State therefore asks for a final “judgment against Respondent removing her from office.”

For now, Johnston faces something short of that final judgment but nevertheless extraordinary for an elected prosecutor: a court order preventing her from exercising the authority of the very office Missouri is asking the court to take away permanently.

Sources:

The case is State of Missouri ex inf. Catherine Hanaway v. Camille Johnston, Case No. 26RY-CV00635, pending in the Circuit Court of Ray County.

Petition for Quo Warranto - Filed July 16, 2026

Preliminary Order of Quo Warranto - Granted

https://www.legalnewsline.com/stlouis-record/ag-barred-prosecutor-used-court-docket-as-dating-app/article_a30947f4-fca2-4c53-90f2-7510bdcb9939.html