A former Godley police chief is at the center of a widening scandal in Johnson County, accused by prosecutors of helping run a prostitution network that allegedly pulled in local officials and everyday residents. The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office says the investigation is active, with more arrests expected as authorities comb through a trove of seized evidence.
Matthew Cantrell was booked into the Johnson County jail in early April on a charge of promoting prostitution. Investigators had executed a search warrant at the home of Michael and Ashley Ketcherside on March 31 and say they recovered electronic communications and storage devices that point to a prostitution conspiracy. Prosecutors say the material stretches back several years and includes records of numerous clients, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
What Prosecutors Say Was Going On
According to prosecutors, the evidence suggests a coordinated effort between the Ketchersides, Cantrell and other officers to gather and maintain information on Godley public officials and private citizens. Officials publicly tied to the probe so far include members of the Godley City Council, the Godley ISD school board, a former mayor and a former police chief, the DA's office told reporters.
Who Has Been Arrested So Far
Michael Ketcherside was arrested last Thursday on a charge of continuous promotion of prostitution and had his bond set at $250,000. Prosecutors said the devices seized during the March 31 search contained communications detailing numerous clients over the past five years, and the Johnson County DA said other arrests are anticipated, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Cantrell’s Turbulent Recent Career
Cantrell served as Godley’s interim police chief in early 2023 before taking a post in Valley Mills in September 2024, reporting shows from KWTX. He was fired about six months later after allegations that he falsified time sheets and was later indicted in October 2025 on charges tied to alleged misuse of a city credit card, according to CBS News Texas. Those earlier investigations now form the backdrop to the DA's description of a broader scheme.
The Ketcherside Name Was Already Controversial
The Ketchersides were not unknown in local controversy. In 2023, Ashley Ketcherside was removed from multiple Godley ISD volunteer and advisory roles after local reporting found she had advertised online as an escort. That episode exposed gaps in volunteer background checks and is resurfacing now that her husband and others are publicly linked to the current criminal probe, local coverage shows from iHeart.
What Happens Next
The Johnson County District Attorney's Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety are leading the investigation and say they plan to file additional charges as the evidence supports them. Prosecutors have asked anyone with information to contact investigators while they scrape through seized devices and prepare any further court filings.
