Republican Election Chairman Accused of Drugging Step-Granddaughters’ Dairy Queen Ice Cream
In a shocking case out of North Carolina, a Republican election official has been arrested after allegedly contaminating his step-granddaughters’ ice cream with illegal drugs.
James Edwin Yokeley Jr., who until recently served as chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections, was taken into custody in August 27, 2025 after police say surveillance video captured him allegedly placing narcotics into two Dairy Queen Blizzards ordered for his step-granddaughters.
The Incident
On August 8, Yokeley allegedly flagged down a police officer at a Wilmington gas station, claiming his 16-year-old step-granddaughter and her 15-year-old friend had discovered suspicious pills in their ice creams purchased at the at the Dairy Queen located at 5901 Oleander Dr. Investigators, however, say his account quickly unraveled under scrutiny. When detectives reviewed security footage from the Dairy Queen, they allege it showed Yokeley himself slipping two pills into the desserts. Field tests later confirmed that the pills contained a mix of MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine.
Yokeley has been charged with:
- Contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance
- Felony child abuse
Medical personnel checked the two juveniles and determined that the girls had not ingested any of the substances.
Following his arrest, Yokeley 66, was booked into the New Hanover County Detention Center and later released on a $100,000 secured bond.
Yokeley, who joined the Surry County Board of Elections in 2023 and was elevated to chairman in June, tendered his resignation Thursday morning after mounting calls for him to step aside. In his letter, he maintained his innocence, stating, “I remain prayerfully confident that I will be exonerated of all accusations levied against me.”
Political Fallout
The case has also sent shockwaves through local politics. Yokeley resigned from his post as chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections shortly after the arrest, though he has denied wrongdoing in a resignation letter, claiming he was “falsely accused.”
In response, the North Carolina State Board of Elections issued a statement acknowledging the charges and pledging to support the Surry County board “to ensure it is able to continue serving the county’s voters.”
Community Reaction
The bizarre allegations have drawn widespread attention, raising questions about Yokeley’s motives and mental state. Parents and community members have expressed relief that the children were unharmed, but deep concern that such an incident could happen at all.
Yokeley’s case remains under investigation as prosecutors prepare for court proceedings.