A senior prosecutor in the United States has been suspended for alleged misconduct involving romantic relationships with three individuals, including a man under investigation for sexual assault by her office.
Camille Johnston, 46, from Ray County, was relieved of her duties by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway following accusations of inappropriate behavior that led to her suspension. A judge promptly granted a temporary order to suspend Johnston due to the allegations, which raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
It is claimed that Johnston engaged in a romantic affair with a suspect, identified as Juan David Gutierrez, in a sexual assault case. Allegations suggest that Johnston traveled to meet Gutierrez in Mississippi and later vacationed with him in Florida, withholding his location from authorities despite his status as a defendant in Ray County.
Moreover, Johnston is accused of another relationship with a lawyer from Ray County, referred to as “T.T.,” who represented criminal defendants facing charges from Johnston’s prosecution office. Court documents indicated that Johnston was required to disqualify herself from cases involving T.T. and seek a special prosecutor due to the conflict of interest.
In a separate incident, it was reported that a former employee in Johnston’s office was terminated after disclosing Johnston’s relationship with a domestic violence suspect. Johnston was removed from that case after the police intervened and sought a different prosecutor, alleging that she failed to share crucial information with the victim, Ray County staff, and the circuit court.
Furthermore, along with the aforementioned allegations, Johnston is accused of creating a hostile work environment characterized by fear and tension through outbursts of anger and aggression. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has raised concerns that Johnston may have committed various crimes due to the inappropriate relationships, including allegations of corruption and obstructing justice.
