A North Texas prostitution investigation is widening with new allegations involving former law enforcement officers.
Investigators in Johnson County say a Godley couple ran a years-long prostitution enterprise.
Michael Ketcherside, the husband in that couple, is now behind bars, and his wife, Ashley who listed as a co-defendant in court documents, is coming to his defense.
“He’s a great husband. He’s an amazing father and I hope to bring him back soon for my children,” Ashley Ketcherside said.
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office alleges a prostitution conspiracy linked to the Ketchersides and two former members of the Godley Police Department including police chief Matthew Cantrell and officer Solomon Omotoya, both of whom have been arrested and released from jail.
Michael Ketcherside was arrested on Thursday on a continuous promotion of prostitution charge and remains in jail on a $250,000 bond.
Ashley Ketcherside has not been charged in connection to the case.
Prosecutors say the couple’s operation served numerous clients or “Johns” for nearly 10 years, according to an arrest affidavit for Cantrell obtained by NBC 5.
A search warrant executed at the Ketcherside’s home in Godley on March 31 turned up what prosecutors say is evidence of an ongoing criminal activity.
“They grabbed a few USB drives and a couple of laptops, an iPad and a phone,” Ashley told NBC 5 on Wednesday.
The affidavit says the search yielded two cell phones in Ashley’s possession, including a “burner” phone where she allegedly conducted most of her illegally prostitution activity.
In one communication between Ashley and former officer Omotoya, the affidavit states he “solicited Ashley for sex in exchange for doing yard work or baby sitting her children.”
Omotoya was arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution. He was released April 4.
He could not be reached by NBC 5 for comment.
During an interview with investigators, the affidavit says Omotoya stated that former police chief Cantrell was “pimping out his wife…would find boyfriends for his wife and some would pay and others would not.”
The affidavit says Cantrell’s wife confirmed a November 2024 incident during an interview that took place while investigators executed a search warrant at their Cleburne home on April 3, and that $200 was received via Cash App.
A cell phone belonging to Cantrell’s wife was also reviewed, and investigators say it became “immediately apparent” she was being coached and prepared for “prostitution or escort related activity” by Ashley Ketcherside.
“I can’t say anything of that. It’s a pending investigation. I do not know anything of that. I have not had contact with my husband,” Ketcherside told NBC 5 on Wednesday.
According to Matthew Cantrell’s arrest affidavit, he admitted to investigators that he had “longstanding knowledge of Ashley and Michaels pattern of racketeering related to their prostitution enterprise.” He also “indicated he knew Ashley’s common rate for sex was roughly $1,000 [per hour] which is closely consistent to what was observed in her burner phone,” the affidavit states.
Michael Cantrell and wife declined to comment on the allegations to NBC 5.
By phone Thursday, Ashley Ketcherside maintained her innocence.
In addition to prostitution allegations, authorities allege the Ketchersides collaborated with the then-sworn police chief Matthew Cantrell and other Godley officers, conspiring to compile information on local public officials and private citizens they perceived as adversaries.
“I have no idea who they would be talking about or what kind of information would be said,” Ashley said Wednesday.
The DA’s Office says the officials known so far are members of the Godley City Council, Godley ISD School Board, the former mayor of Godley and another former police chief of Godley.
In a statement, the City of Godley wrote, “The City applauds the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office for their work in investigating and addressing the alleged criminal activity and will fully cooperate in the ongoing investigation.”
Godley ISD told NBC 5, “The district has no information regarding the current investigation beyond what has been shared on local social media. The district is not involved and has not received any official details.”
The investigation remains active with the possibility of more arrests.
Ashley is standing by her husband and pushing back against the allegations.
“I know that he’s strong and he’s going to get through this, we’re both going to get through this. We believe in the criminal justice system and I’m hoping that our names are cleared and we can move forward from here,” she said.