Staff Report
UHLAND — Uhland Mayor Lacee Duke was taken into custody by the Texas Rangers at Uhland City Hall Wednesday, Dec. 3.
According to the booking sheet, Duke, 38 — who was reelected in May 2025 — was arrested for misapplication of fiduciary property >=$150,000<$300,000, a second-degree felony. The charge is punishable by two-20 years in prison.
The arrest was followed by an indictment issued by a Caldwell County Grand Jury, according to the Department of Public Safety.
"The indictment follows an investigation conducted by the Texas Rangers and the Caldwell County Criminal District Attorney’s Office into the improper disbursement of $250,000 in city funds to Old Town Uhland, LLC. related to the 2024 Uhland Fall Fest," said Caldwell County Criminal District Attorney Fred Weber.
The presiding judge set Duke’s bail at $20,000. Weber noted that Duke posted bail Thursday, Dec. 4, and was subsequently released.
“We take this matter seriously and are closely monitoring the situation,” said Vicky Rudy, Uhland interim city administrator. “The city respects the legal process and the presumption of innocence guaranteed to every individual. At this time, Mayor Duke continues to serve in office unless and until any action is taken in accordance with Texas law.”
“The city is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability, and we will cooperate fully with the authorities. The safety and well-being of our employees, residents, and community remain our top priority,” Rudy concluded.
The Hays Free Press is awaiting numerous public information documents that were requested from the city of Uhland Nov. 12. The documents in question may contain information regarding funds provided to Old Town Uhland, LLC, for the 2024 Uhland Fall Fest, for which Duke was arrested. While the city of Uhland’s open records coordinator Yvette Hummel provided a fraction of the documents and closed the request. However, at of the time of this publication, majority of the materials requested were not provided within the timeframe allowed by law.
There are no further details at this time. The Hays Free Press will continue to update as more information becomes available.
