Wilmington, N.C. – A 66-year-old grandfather and recently appointed county election board chair in North Carolina is facing multiple felony charges after police say he attempted to drug his two young granddaughters by placing narcotics in their ice cream.
Arrest and Charges
Authorities identified the suspect as James E. Yokeley Jr., who was arrested earlier this week. He is charged with:
- Two counts of felony contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance
- Felony child abuse
- Felony possession of a Schedule I narcotic
Yokeley was taken into custody and later released from the New Hanover County Detention Center after posting a $100,000 secured bond.
Ice Cream Incident at Dairy Queen
The case began on Aug. 8, when Yokeley flagged down a Wilmington police officer at a Sheetz gas station on Shipyard Boulevard. He told the officer his two granddaughters had discovered two hard objects in their ice cream purchased from a Dairy Queen on Oleander Drive.
Emergency medical personnel evaluated the children and confirmed that neither had ingested the substances. Preliminary field tests later revealed the pills tested positive for cocaine and MDMA (molly).
“The two pills were collected, and preliminary field tests conducted indicated that the pills were illegal narcotics,” Wilmington Police said.
Evidence Against Yokeley
While Yokeley initially portrayed himself as a bystander, police say surveillance video contradicted his story. Investigators determined that Yokeley himself placed the pills into the children’s ice cream before alerting officers.
Detectives with the Wilmington Police Department subsequently opened a formal investigation, which led to Yokeley’s arrest on multiple felony charges. Authorities noted that the investigation is still ongoing.
Election Board Role Raises Concerns
Beyond the criminal charges, Yokeley’s arrest is drawing political attention. In June 2025, he was appointed chair of the Surry County Board of Elections by State Auditor Dave Boliek. His term was scheduled to run until 2027.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections released a statement acknowledging the charges:
“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.”
Community Safety and Public Reaction
The incident has shocked the local community, particularly because the victims were children and the suspect held a position of public trust. Parents are being urged to remain vigilant and remind children never to consume food if they suspect it has been tampered with.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, James E. Yokeley Jr. faces serious legal consequences for allegedly contaminating his grandchildren’s ice cream with dangerous narcotics. The case has raised broader concerns about child safety and accountability for those in positions of civic responsibility.
What’s your reaction to this disturbing case? Should Yokeley step down from his election board role immediately? Share your views in the comments below.
