ASHBY — On Saturday, June 7, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Ashby Police Officer Christopher Davis was conducting stationary traffic enforcement on Fitchburg State Road (Route 31) when he observed a vehicle towing a camper traveling northbound.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Christopher Davis and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“I observed there was no plate attached to the camper,” Officer Davis said. Later adding, “I activated my emergency blue lights and conducted the traffic stop on Greenville Road in the area of Heywood Road. I approached the vehicle, introduced myself, and explained the reason for the stop was for not having a plate attached to the camper. The operator, who I identified as Michael Godfrey by his Missouri issued driver’s license [# redacted] admitted it was not registered.”
According to police, Michael A. Godfrey, 28, is a resident of N Elmwood Avenue, Kansas, Missouri.
“Godfrey stated he had all the paperwork for the camper,” Officer Davis added. “I asked Godfrey for his license and registration to the truck he was driving. Godfrey was unable to find the vehicle registration but said the registration should be good.”
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Officer Davis said he returned to his cruiser and conducted a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) search of Godfrey’s vehicle.
“RMV response showed an expired registration as of February 28, 2025,” Officer Davis said. “I then conducted an RMV search of his license which showed a valid Class A license out of Missouri. A full NCIC search of Godfrey found a full extraction warrant out of Platte County, MO. Dispatch also alerted me to this warrant. I requested a mutual aid officer from Townsend to respond.”
Officer Davis said he went back to speak with Godfrey and explained that his vehicle’s registration was expired.
“I then requested him out of the vehicle, asked him to turn around and place his hands behind his back,” Officer Davis said. “Godfrey was hesitant at first but then complied and was placed in handcuffs, checked for tightness, and double locked. I explained to Godfrey he was currently being detained for a full extraditable warrant and that we were working on confirming it.”
Officer Davis said that while waiting for dispatch to confirm the warrant, he spoke with Godfrey about where his dog, truck, and trailer would go.
“Godfrey then voluntarily stated to me that he had a loaded firearm by the seat in his vehicle,” Officer Davis said. “Dispatch then advised me the warrant was confirmed at 5:22 p.m. with full extradition. I then explained to Godfrey that he would be charged with firearms charges in Massachusetts.”
At this time, Sergeant George Reidy from Townsend arrived on scene.
“Godfrey stated he thought that he could not carry the firearm on his person but that he had the right to have the firearm with him,” Officer Davis recounted. “I requested the ACO [Animal Control Officer], the on-call tow and an Ashby officer from dispatch. Godfrey began to breathe heavily and appeared he was beginning to hyperventilate. Godfrey then stated he felt he was going to pass out. I immediately requested EMS.”
Officer Davis said that at that time, he read Godfrey his Miranda rights from a card he carries on his person, and Godfrey stated that he understood.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) then arrived on scene as well as the ACO.
“Sgt. Reidy secured the firearm that was in a holster between the center console and driver’s seat,” Officer Davis said. “There was no round in the chamber of the firearm. There was a 15-round magazine in the firearm with 14 hollow point rounds in it. I found a 10-round magazine with 10 FMJ [Full Metal Jacket] rounds in it and a 13-round magazine with 13 FMJ rounds in it, in the glove box. I found several boxes of ammunition on the center console.”
Officer Davis said that he secured the firearm, magazines, and ammunition in his cruiser, and that the animal control officer took control of Godfrey’s dog without incident.
“Godfrey had reserved two weeks at the Pines Campground on Davis Road,” Officer Davis said. “I gave Godfrey the option to have his truck and camper towed to the campground and grounded instead of impounded. I did advise him he would have to pay for the tow today if that would happen.”
Officer Davis said that, at this time, Ashby Police Officer Ethan Goodreau arrived on scene to relieve Sgt. Reidy.
“I drove Godfrey to the Pines Campground to see if he would have permission to ground his vehicle and camper there,” Officer Davis said. “The staff agreed since he had a reservation and was paying. I advised Officer Goodreau it was approved and to have Aldrich bring the truck and camper to the campground.”
Officer Davis said that Aldrich’s Auto Body & Repair towed Godfrey’s truck to the campground without incident.
Godfrey was then transported back to the Ashby Police Department for booking.
“Godfrey was booked per department policy without incident,” Officer Davis said. “Godfrey was respectful and compliant throughout the whole process from the roadside interaction and back at the station.”
Officer Davis said a Massachusetts License to Carry/FID check and a state firearms ownership query were conducted on Michael Godfrey, with no records found. A stolen firearm check on the gun’s serial number also returned no results.
Godfrey was charged with the following:
- Fugitive from Justice on Court Warrant
- Possess Firearm without FID Card
- Possess Ammunition without FID Card
- Possess Large Capacity Feeding Device (two counts)
Godfrey’s bail was set at $5,000 cash.
He was arraigned in Ayer District Court on June 9, 2025. During his arraignment, Judge Metha determined there was probable cause to hold a dangerousness hearing, which was continued to June 12, 2025.
During his dangerousness hearing on June 12, Judge Tejal Metha decided to release Godfrey under the condition that he refrain from drugs/alcohol and wear a GPS bracelet. Godfrey posted bail on June 12, 2025, and was released.
Godfrey’s next court date is a pretrial conference scheduled for July 17, 2025.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place earlier this month, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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