Inset: James Yokeley Jr.(Wilmington Police Department). Background: The Dairy Queen where Yokeley claimed his granddaughters’ ice cream was allegedly tampered with (Google Maps).
A 66-year-old man, who is also a local election board chair in North Carolina, found himself under arrest following accusations of trying to drug his young granddaughters by inserting illegal substances into their ice cream. James E. Yokeley Jr. was apprehended earlier this week and faces charges including two counts of felony food or drink contamination using a controlled substance, felony child abuse, and possession of a Schedule I narcotic, authorities reported.
The Wilmington Police Department released a statement noting that a patrolling officer was approached by Yokeley at a Sheetz gas station on Aug. 8, located along the 2500 block of Shipyard Boulevard. Yokeley claimed to the officer that his grandchildren had just discovered “two hard objects in the ice cream they bought earlier from the Dairy Queen at 5901 Oleander Drive.”
Emergency medical teams arrived and assessed the children, confirming neither child had consumed any of the substances in question.
“The pills were retrieved, and preliminary tests suggested they were illicit narcotics,” according to the release. “They have been sent to the State lab for further detailed analysis.”
Initial testing indicated the pills contained cocaine and MDMA, commonly referred to as “molly,” as reported by Raleigh, North Carolina’s NBC affiliate WRAL, citing details from the arrest warrant.
Despite Yokeley’s initial claims, investigators said they uncovered evidence allegedly showing that he was responsible for attempting to drug the children.
“WPD detectives were notified and opened an investigation,” the release said. “During the investigation, it was determined by video footage that Yokeley had been the one who placed the two pills into both victims’ ice cream.”
Following his arrest, Yokeley was transported to the New Hanover County Detention Center for processing. He was released after posting a $100,000 secured bond.
Authorities said their investigation remains ongoing.
In June, Yokeley was appointed by State Auditor Dave Boliek to serve as the chair of the Surry County Board of Elections. His term runs until 2027. Both Yokeley and Boliek are Republicans.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections sent the following statement to Wilmington NBC affiliate WECT:
“The State Board of Elections and Surry County Board of Elections are aware of the charges against Mr. Yokeley, the chair of the Surry County Board of Elections. We will continue to collect information about the situation and will provide support to the Surry County board, as needed, to ensure it is able to continue serving the county’s voters.”
