Elections chair faces charges after drugging granddaughters' ice cream

In North Carolina, James Edwin Yokeley Jr., aged 66, chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections, was arrested following a disturbing incident involving his two granddaughters. On August 8, 2025, he allegedly placed cocaine and MDMA into their Dairy Queen ice cream, prompting a police investigation. The granddaughters discovered the pills before consuming them, and medical personnel confirmed they had not ingested any drugs. Police reviewed video footage that showed Yokeley placing the narcotics in the ice cream, leading to multiple charges against him, including felony child abuse and possession of a Schedule I narcotic. Subsequently, Yokeley reported the incident to the police, claiming his granddaughters found suspicious blue pills, but evidence indicated he was the culprit. Following his arrest, he was booked into the New Hanover County Detention Center and later released on a $100,000 bond. The motive behind Yokeley's actions remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing, raising questions about his mental state at the time of the incident. Yokeley, a Republican, resigned from his position as Board Chair shortly after the event, stating that it was in the best interest of both the Surry County Board of Elections and himself to step down amidst what he described as 'falsely accused circumstances.' His resignation letter noted his confidence that he would be exonerated of all charges. This incident has sparked outrage and concern within the state, prompting calls for further scrutiny of the mental fitness of public officials. The State Board of Elections announced that a new chair would be appointed following nominations from the North Carolina Republican Party, as Yokeley's actions not only pose a personal dilemma but also impact the integrity of the election process in Surry County.