North Carolina election official James Yokeley Jr. allegedly slipped drugs into his grandkids’ Dairy Queen Blizzards — and now, he faces child abuse charges. On August 8, 2025, Yokeley, 66, alerted police officers at a nearby gas station after his two granddaughters, 15 and 16, found “hard objects” in their ice cream treats, according to the Wilmington Police Department.
Pills found in the Blizzards tested positive for MDMA and cocaine, according to an arrest warrant obtained by WRAL. The teenagers did not ingest the pills. While investigating, detectives found video surveillance allegedly showing Yokeley putting the pills into the ice cream, per a news release from the police department. He has since been charged with felony child abuse and contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance.
Yokeley was arrested on August 26 and booked into the New Hanover County Detention Center, where he posted a $100,000 secured bond. The investigation is continuing.
In June, North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek appointed Yokeley, a Republican, as chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections. “He needs to resign,” Boliek told the News & Observer. “If I don’t get that resignation, my intent is today to ask the State Board of Elections to remove him.”
Yokeley sent a letter to Boliek announcing his resignation on August 28, ahead of an emergency board meeting to address the situation.
Here's the resignation letter for those curious. In it, Yokeley writes, "I remain prayerfully confident that I will be exonerated of all accusations levied against me." #ncpol pic.twitter.com/jwtwi2SKA2
— Bryan Anderson (@BryanRAnderson) August 28, 2025
“After much prayer, thoughtful reflection and consultation, I have concluded that it’s in the best interest of the State Board of Elections and Surry County Board of Elections, regarding my own falsely accused circumstances, to step down at this time,” he wrote.
Yokeley added, “Based on the truth and facts, I remain peacefully confident that I will be exonerated of all accusations levied against me.”
His next court appearance is set for September 11.
