A Missouri county prosecutor has been removed from office after state officials accused her of engaging in a romantic relationship with an illegal immigrant facing felony sexual assault charges while actively handling criminal cases in her jurisdiction.

Pattern of Misconduct Uncovered

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a petition stripping Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston of her authority following allegations of multiple improper relationships that created serious conflicts of interest. According to the filing, Johnston carried on a romantic relationship with Juan David Gutierrez, a Mexican citizen illegally present in the United States since 2019, who faces felony sexual offense charges in her county. The relationship began before Johnston took office in January 2023, but she failed to recuse herself from his investigation despite knowing he was a suspect as early as September 2020.

The state’s case against Johnston extends beyond the relationship itself. Officials allege she actively helped Gutierrez evade justice by failing to disclose his whereabouts to law enforcement after he left Missouri, visiting him at his undisclosed location, and transferring the title of her vehicle to him to assist his flight from authorities. Johnston admitted she knew about Gutierrez’s illegal immigration status for several years but took no action to report him to federal authorities.

Retaliation and Office Atmosphere

The attorney general’s petition also accuses Johnston of retaliating against an employee who discovered one of her improper relationships. Officials say she created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the prosecutor’s office. Beyond Gutierrez, Johnston allegedly maintained other problematic relationships, including one with a criminal defense attorney and another with a man charged in a domestic violence case in Ray County. All these relationships posed direct conflicts of interest with her duties as chief law enforcement officer for the county.

What This Means

A judge granted a preliminary order barring Johnston from exercising any authority as prosecutor until the case reaches final resolution. While she can fight for reinstatement as proceedings continue, she currently holds no power in her official capacity. The attorney general’s office has taken over prosecution of the sexual assault case against Gutierrez, which remains active but on hold pending an appeal in another matter. Attorney General Hanaway emphasized that public office represents a public trust, not personal entitlement, stating that Johnston’s sustained pattern of misconduct and willful neglect posed a serious threat to public safety. The case highlights the critical importance of ethical standards and recusal requirements for prosecutors handling sensitive criminal matters.