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North Texas woman arrested in widening prostitution, racketeering investigation, authorities say

By
Doug Myers
Digital Content Producer, CBS Texas
Doug Myers is a digital content producer for CBS Texas and the South region.
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Doug Myers

/ CBS Texas

A North Texas woman accused of taking part in a years‑long prostitution scheme and an effort to gather intelligence on local public officials has been arrested, authorities said.

Ashley Ketcherside, 41, of Godley, was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with racketeering. No bond has been set.

The District Attorney's Office for Johnson & Somervell Counties said the investigation centers on ongoing criminal activity involving Ashley Ketcherside, her husband, Michael, 52, and former members of the Godley Police Department.

Michael Ketcherside had previously been arrested on charges of continuous promotion and solicitation of prostitution.

ashleygodley.png
Ashley Ketcherside, 41   Johnson County Jail

Alleged decade‑long operation

According to authorities, the couple allegedly ran a prostitution and racketeering operation that investigators describe as a pattern spanning nearly 10 years. The activity allegedly included promoting and facilitating prostitution.

"This is an active and ongoing investigation, and additional arrests are anticipated," District Attorney Timothy M. Good said last week.

A search warrant was executed on March 31 at the Ketchersides' residence, where authorities seized electronic communications and storage devices believed to contain evidence of criminal activity, according to the release.

The devices contained evidence of a prostitution conspiracy involving the Ketchersides and numerous "clients" or "Johns," and evidence showing the Ketchersides coordinated with then‑Godley Police Chief Matthew Cantrell and other officers, according to the release.

Former police chief implicated

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Matthew Cantrell Johnson County Jail

Cantrell, who was also arrested last week on a charge of promotion of prostitution and is out of jail on bond, recently told CBS News Texas he had no comment.

He and former Officer Solomon Omotoya were indicted in late 2025 after the City of Godley found discrepancies in its fleet fuel card purchases. The Valley Mills City Council also fired Cantrell as its police chief in early 2025 after a council member flagged suspicious police‑department credit‑card charges.

Omotoya was arrested on March 31 for continuous promotion and solicitation of prostitution.

Court records outline allegations

According to court records obtained by CBS News Texas: 

  • Cantrell was arrested Tuesday on a charge of promotion of prostitution amid a widening investigation. 
  • Michael and Ashley Ketcherside allegedly ran a years‑long prostitution and racketeering operation, with Ashley Ketcherside coordinating clients and communicating regularly with Cantrell and Omotoya. 
  • Omotoya admitted soliciting Ashley Ketcherside for sex in exchange for yard work or babysitting and said both he and Cantrell were aware of the Ketchersides' operation.
  • Cantrell pulled criminal histories on city officials and on people involved in disputes with Ashley Ketcherside, while maintaining close ties with the Ketchersides. 
  • Cantrell admitted to subscribing to Ashley Ketcherside's OnlyFans account.
  • Cantrell acknowledged longstanding knowledge of the Ketchersides' prostitution enterprise and said Ashley Ketcherside charged about $1,000 per hour. 

Alleged targets included local officials  

michael-ketcherside.jpg
Michael Ketcherside Johnson County Jail

According to the District Attorney's Office, the group's alleged purpose was to compile information on local public officials and private citizens they viewed as opponents or enemies.

The "adversaries" included members of the Godley City Council, Godley ISD School Board, the former mayor, and the former Godley police chief.

CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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