Stamford Mayor Indicted for Federal Wire Fraud

STAMFORD, TX — Stamford Mayor James Michael Decker has been indicted on five federal wire fraud charges, according to court records filed Aug. 12.

The indictment alleges Decker used his authority as mayor to transfer about $133,000 from a Community Foundation of Stamford account to accounts he controlled, including accounts titled “James Decker for Mayor,” “James Decker” and “D&A PC IOLTA.”

Prosecutors also allege Decker transferred about $163,000 from estate and trust accounts and about $12,000 from the T.A. Livestock Association account. The indictment lists total alleged losses of about $308,000.

According to the court document, the money was later transferred to two people in Oklahoma who had no business with the city, the estates, trusts or association involved.

The five wire fraud counts involve individual electronic transfers allegedly made between July 2025 and February 2026. One count alleges a $6,000 transfer from the Community Foundation of Stamford account to the “James Decker for Mayor” account on Feb. 23, 2026.

The indictment also includes a forfeiture notice seeking property traceable to the alleged offenses if Decker is convicted.

The allegations in the indictment are not findings of guilt. Decker is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The small town of Stamford is located about 20 miles north of San Angelo.