Credit : Wilmington Police Department via People
A North Carolina election official has stepped down after being arrested for allegedly putting illegal drugs into ice cream treats meant for his granddaughters, according to police.
On August 8, 2025, James Yokeley Jr. flagged down an officer at a Sheetz gas station in Surry County. He claimed that his two granddaughters had discovered pills inside Dairy Queen Blizzards purchased nearby. The police stated that the girls did not take any of the substances. The field tests showed the pills were illegal narcotics which subsequent analysis confirmed contained MDMA and cocaine.
An investigation was launched, during which police reviewed surveillance footage. According to a warrant, the video allegedly showed Yokeley, 66, placing the pills into the ice creams while serving as the girls’ guardian for the weekend. Investigators have not shared a possible motive, and the case. The investigators have not revealed any potential reason for the incident and the investigation continues.
The authorities took Yokeley into custody for three criminal offenses which included contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance and felony child abuse and possession of Schedule I narcotics. The authorities took Yokeley to New Hanover County Detention Center before he secured his release through a $100,000 bond.
Yokeley received arrest charges for contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance as well as felony child abuse and possession of a Schedule I narcotic. The authorities took Yokeley to the New Hanover County Detention Centre before he could post a $100,000 secured bond.
Yokeley served as Surry County Board of Elections chair at the time of his arrest after becoming board member in 2023 and taking the chair position in June. Following calls for his removal, he resigned on Thursday morning. In his resignation letter, Yokeley maintained his innocence, writing: “I remain prayerfully confident that I will be exonerated of all accusations levied against me.”
Reference: Election Official Accused of Slipping Drugs into Granddaughters' Dairy Queen Blizzards 28 Aug 2025 https://people.com/election-official-accused-slipping-drugs-into-granddaughters-dairy-queen-blizzards-11799640