Two former Godley, Texas, police officials are facing charges of engaging in organized criminal activity as part of an expanding investigation into an alleged prostitution operation with ties to law enforcement, authorities said.
Former Police Sgt. Jeremy Jacob Arbuthnot was arrested on Wednesday, while former Police Chief Matthew Melton Cantrell was re-arrested on Monday, according to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office. Jail records show the bond for both men has been set at $500,000.
Prosecutors said the arrests are connected to a broader probe into what they describe as a years-long criminal enterprise allegedly run by Ashley Villalobos Ketcherside, 41, and Michael Ketcherside, 52. Both remain in custody, with Michael Ketcherside held on a $450,000 bond and Ashley Ketcherside on a $200,000 bond.
“To prevent compromising this still ongoing investigation, the affidavit for the warrant has been sealed,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement, CBS News Texas reported. “We do not have an anticipated date of conclusion for the investigation, but when we can provide additional information without the possibility of compromise, a comprehensive press statement will be released.”
Authorities allege the operation involved police officers and targeted local officials, including school board members and city leaders.
Arbuthnot is the fifth suspect arrested in connection with the case. Cantrell, who had previously been charged with promoting prostitution, now faces an additional charge of engaging in organized criminal activity.
The investigation began earlier this month when Cantrell and two others were arrested. Michael Ketcherside was initially charged with continuous promoting of prostitution, and later with racketeering, while former officer Solomon Omotoya was charged with soliciting prostitution, The Dallas Express reported.
Ashley Ketcherside was arrested on April 15 and charged with racketeering after previously denying wrongdoing.
Court documents allege the Ketchersides operated a prostitution scheme out of their home and that police officers were frequent visitors. Investigators also allege the couple and Cantrell compiled information on individuals they considered adversaries, including members of the Godley City Council, the Godley Independent School District board, and police personnel.
The case first gained attention in late 2023 after Godley ISD trustee Kayla Lain raised concerns about Ashley Ketcherside’s involvement in school activities. Lain said tensions escalated after community members learned of Ketcherside’s prior prostitution convictions and questioned her participation in committees with access to students, The Dallas Express reported.
“For whatever reason, she has targeted me for the last several years,” Lain said, per CBS.
Lain said she later brought information about the alleged operation to the district attorney and police, suspecting that officers were “at minimum covering for her because they refused to investigate. And now it’s come out that they were involved,” CBS reported.
The conflict intensified when Ashley Ketcherside launched a podcast discussing disputes with Lain and later filed a lawsuit alleging injury to her reputation. The lawsuit was dismissed.
Lain also said that a private swimsuit photo she had shared only with her husband had been posted online.
“It’s concerning to know that someone has dug around very intimate, private photos… and that they would use those maliciously to try to demolish someone’s character,” she said, per CBS.
Affidavits in the case indicate Omotoya admitted to accessing criminal histories of political figures, and that Cantrell used law enforcement databases to run background checks on some of the men whom he was allegedly “pimping” for his wife. Lain said she believes someone within the department also accessed personal information to assist the Ketchersides.
“I really want for Godley to be Godly,” Lain said, per CBS. “A town where we all feel safe to raise our kids, and we don’t have to worry about police officers targeting citizens.”
The district attorney’s office said the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are possible.
