Cibolo Mayor Stosh Boyle pleads guilty to felony charges, says he wants to finish his term strong

Cibolo Mayor Stanley "Stosh" Boyle pleaded guilty April 12 to charges of aggravated perjury and tampering with a government document with intent to defraud.

The charges were filed against him in August 2019, arising after Boyle failed to list a felony conviction on his application to run for mayor. Boyle was convicted in 1998 of conspiracy to manufacture M.D.A, or ecstasy.

According to Texas election code, candidates are required to “have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities.”

According to Boyle, his plea deal for the case required him to acknowledge that his conviction barred him from running for office, and he was to pay a $2,000 fine and participate in 120 hours of community service. Boyle was first elected in 2017.

“The reason I took the deal is because it would be pretty low impact as for what I have to do, and I get to finish my term,” Boyle said to Community Impact Newspaper. “If I wasn’t able to finish my term, it would be a different story because the citizens voted me in, and I want to honor that.”

The 1998 conviction bars him from running for office and requires him to step down as mayor. However, Boyle will be able to complete his term until the canvassing of votes following the November election, according to the plea deal. Boyle said he had not intended to seek another term in office.

Boyle said he is thankful for the support from citizens, staff, local businesses and all others who were there from the beginning of the case.

“I deeply respect those that have been with me all this way,” Boyle said. “I hope my work that I have done over the last five years reflects that.”

Boyle said the rest of his time as mayor will be dedicated to wrapping up unfinished business and projects.

“There is work that is left undone that I want to see through," Boyle said. “And we were able to put in place so many key people that were able to move the city forward rather than keep us in the dark.”

Former Councilmember Brian Byrd, who brought the charges to light, believes that Boyle selfishly betrayed public trust through behavior that threatened the integrity of the local electoral system.

“It is my opinion that Mr. Boyle’s recent illegal and selfish behavior has placed Cibolo in a very precarious situation as every decision, every document and every meeting he fraudulently presided over, as an illegitimate mayor is now in question for validity," he said.

Byrd said he is grateful that Boyle was afforded his day in court and he hopes that Cibolo can heal and learn from these events.

On April 26, City Attorney Frank Garza addressed the charges and told City Council that with the plea deal, he believes the mayor is still able to serve, and that Council would not need to take further action.

“It is my legal opinion that his plea does not affect his ability to serve as mayor,” Garza said.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include additional information from current and former city officials.