North Carolina Election Official Resigns After Arrest for Allegedly Spiking Granddaughters’ Ice Cream with Drugs
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A North Carolina elections official has resigned after being arrested and accused of contaminating his young granddaughters’ ice cream with narcotics earlier this month.
Police in Wilmington confirmed that James Edwin Yokeley Jr., 66, was charged with felony child abuse and contaminating food with a controlled substance. Yokeley had been serving as chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections before submitting his resignation Thursday.
Police Say Pills Were Found in Dairy Queen Ice Cream
According to Wilmington police, Yokeley stopped at a Sheetz gas station on August 8 and flagged down an officer, claiming that his granddaughters had found “two hard objects” in their Dairy Queen ice cream.
Subsequent testing revealed the objects were illegal narcotics. Video footage from the Dairy Queen showed Yokeley himself placing the pills into the ice cream, police said.
The girls did not ingest the drugs.
Resignation After Arrest
In a resignation letter obtained by the State Board of Elections, Yokeley denied wrongdoing but said it was in the board’s best interest that he step down.
“After much prayer, thoughtful reflection and consultation, I have concluded that it’s in the best interest of the State Board of Elections, regarding my own falsely accused circumstances, to step down at this time,” Yokeley wrote.
He added: “Based on the truth and facts, I remain prayerfully confident that I will be exonerated of all accusations leveled against me.”
State Auditor Dave Boliek, who appointed Yokeley last year, confirmed the resignation, saying the decision allows the board “to move forward without distraction” in appointing a replacement.
Political Background
Yokeley previously ran for a seat on the Surry County Board of Education in 2022, finishing third in the Republican primary with just under 27% of the vote. During his campaign, he frequently criticized national Covid-19 policies and questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 federal elections, according to opponent T.J. Bledsoe.
Following his loss, Yokeley continued to post anti-vaccine commentary online, citing groups like Children’s Health Defense, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
What Comes Next
Yokeley has been booked into custody as the investigation continues. Wilmington police have not released further details about possible court dates.
The Surry County Board of Elections is expected to move quickly in appointing a replacement to restore public confidence ahead of the 2025 local election cycle.
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