A Johnson County grand jury has indicted six people — including a former police chief, two former officers and a corrections officer — in an expanding investigation into an alleged prostitution, racketeering and public corruption conspiracy tied to the Godley Police Department.
The indictments, announced Wednesday, stem from a joint investigation by the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Somervell County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the investigation remains ongoing.
Six People Indicted
The grand jury returned indictments against:
- Michael Ketcherside — charged with racketeering, money laundering, and continuous promotion of prostitution.
- Ashley Ketcherside — charged with racketeering and money laundering.
- Former Godley Police Chief Matthew Cantrell — charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, promotion of prostitution, two counts of sexual assault, and stalking.
- Former Godley police officer Jeremy Arbuthnot — charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.
- Former Godley police officer Solomon Omotoya — charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and solicitation of prostitution.
- Former Johnson County corrections officer Regina Cantrell — charged with misuse of official information.
An indictment is a formal accusation and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Investigators Detail Alleged Prostitution Operation
According to arrest affidavits, investigators believe the alleged prostitution enterprise operated from at least November 2023 through March 2026.
Authorities seized cell phones, computers, tablets, and USB drives from Michael and Ashley Ketcherside during searches conducted in late March.
Investigators allege Ashley Ketcherside used the escort website Preferred411 under the alias “Lola Brea” to arrange meetings with clients. Court documents state electronic evidence included screenshots of Cash App transactions following alleged sexual encounters and a pricing structure that listed:
- $5,000 for overnight services
- $1,300 for 90-minute appointments
- $600 for one-hour appointments
Investigators also allege they recovered communications showing Michael Ketcherside arranging appointments between his wife and clients. One note from 2024 reportedly documented a client paying $4,000 to accompany Ashley Ketcherside to a Dallas Stars game.
Public Officials Also Targeted, Documents Allege
Court documents allege the Ketchersides operated the prostitution business from their Godley home, where former police officers frequently visited.
Investigators further allege the Ketchersides and Matthew Cantrell compiled information on people they viewed as adversaries, including members of the Godley City Council, the Godley ISD school board, and other Godley police officers.
Ashley Ketcherside previously drew public attention in 2023 after being removed from a Godley ISD committee overseeing the district’s sex education curriculum when prior prostitution convictions from 2012 and 2016 became public.
Investigation Has Grown Since April
The case began with multiple arrests this spring.
Michael Ketcherside, Matthew Cantrell, and Solomon Omotoya were arrested on April 8. Ashley Ketcherside was arrested on April 15 after previously denying involvement in the prostitution business.
Cantrell was later re-arrested on April 27 on an organized criminal activity charge and now also faces two sexual assault charges tied to alleged incidents between 2012 and 2016. Prosecutors allege he used his position as Godley police chief to harass and sexually assault a woman.
Jeremy Arbuthnot was arrested on April 29, followed by Regina Cantrell on May 4.
District Attorney: Investigation Continues
Johnson County District Attorney Timothy Good said on Wednesday that the investigation remains active and could expand as additional evidence is reviewed.
“We would like to thank the Grand Jury for their service,” Good said in a statement, Fox 4 KDFW reported. “This is an exceptionally detailed and ongoing investigation with some allegations that are very difficult to hear.”
Good also noted the involvement of former law enforcement officers.
“This ongoing investigation is particularly troubling with several of those accused in the cases presented this morning serving in some capacity of law enforcement,” he said. “We hold our law enforcement professionals to a higher standard in this community, and we are continuing to investigate this case as additional information is disclosed to investigators.”
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has not announced when the investigation is expected to conclude.
Provided by Dallas Express
