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In Texas, a mother of three is allegedly entangled in a prostitution operation with her spouse, purportedly working alongside local law enforcement.
Ashley Ketcherside was apprehended on April 14 and now faces racketeering charges, as per jail records accessed by Oxygen. Her husband, Michael Ketcherside, was detained earlier on April 2 and is charged with both continuous promotion of prostitution and racketeering.
Ashley has refuted any participation in prostitution activities.
Ashley Ketcherside and Michael Ketcherside Accused of “Ongoing Prostitution Conspiracy”
Before Ashley’s arrest, the District Attorney’s Office of Johnson and Somervell Counties revealed that an investigation was underway, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety, into the couple and the Godley Police Department for alleged “ongoing criminal conduct.”
On March 31, investigators executed a search warrant at the Ketchersides’ residence, seizing electronic communications and storage devices believed to be linked to the suspected illegal activities.
“These devices contained evidence of an ongoing prostitution conspiracy involving Ashley and Michael Ketcherside, and numerous clients over the years,” prosecutors said. “Additional evidence shows the Ketchersides collaborating with then-sworn Chief of Police of The City of Godley and other officers.”
Prosecutors said the police department, under the leadership of former police chief Matthew Cantrell, is also accused of conspiring with the Ketchersides to “compile information on local public officials and private citizens they perceived as adversaries.”
According to prosecutors, that included members of the Godley City Council, Godley Independent School Board, the former mayor of Godley and the former Chief of Police.
Current Godley Police Chief Darrell “Dusty” Vinson told Oxygen the police department is working with authorities as the investigation unfolds.
“The city welcomes and applauds the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office for their work in investigating and addressing the alleged criminal activity,” he said, “and we are fully cooperating in this ongoing investigation.”
Johnson and Somervell Counties District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Jason Buchanan told that Cantrell was arrested on charges of promoting prostitution, while former officer Solomon Omotoya was booked on charges of soliciting prostitution. It’s unclear whether either has retained an attorney.
The Ketchersides allegedly ran the prostitution scheme out of their home, according to court documents obtained by Fox 4 News .
Ashley Ketcherside Denied Involvement in Prostitution
Before her arrest, Ashley denied that her husband had ever trafficked her and told the outlet that she was not a prostitute.
“He’s a great husband, an amazing father to my three kids and I believe in the justice system,” she told Fox 4. “I’m absolutely no victim of my husband or anybody else.”
It’s unclear whether either Ashley or Michael has retained an attorney.
In 2023, she was removed from a Godley school district committee establishing the district’s sex education curriculum after officials discovered she had been convicted of prostitution in 2012 and 2016, the outlet reported. At the time, she had also allegedly been advertising on escort sites.
Buchanan told Oxygen most of the court records had been sealed in the case in an effort to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
A request for comment to Texas Department of Public Safety was also not immediately returned.