North Carolina Election Official Charged After Allegedly Slipping Cocaine

James Edwin Yokeley Jr., 66, chair of the Surry County Board of Elections in North Carolina, was arrested on August 26, 2025, after investigators alleged he slipped cocaine and MDMA into his two granddaughters’ Dairy Queen Blizzards during a supervised visit. Surveillance footage from the Dairy Queen on Oleander Drive in Wilmington reportedly captured Yokeley placing pills into the drinks. Neither granddaughter ingested the substances. Yokeley has maintained his innocence.

How the Incident Came to Light

During the visit in early August 2025, one of the girls - aged 15 - reported feeling dizzy and exhibiting unusual behavior. Her 16-year-old sister discovered hard objects in her Blizzard. Yokeley himself flagged down police officers at a gas station on August 8, reporting the discovery of suspicious items in the treats. Police reviewed Dairy Queen surveillance footage, which allegedly showed Yokeley placing the pills into the cups. Toxicology testing confirmed the substances as cocaine and MDMA.

Charges and Resignation

Yokeley faces charges of felony child abuse, possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance. He posted a $100,000 secured bond the day of his arrest. His attorney has not issued a public statement, and Yokeley has not entered a plea as of initial reporting.

Following his arrest, Yokeley resigned from the Surry County Board of Elections. State Auditor Dave Boliek - who had appointed him to the position in June 2025 - publicly called for his resignation or removal. In his resignation letter, Yokeley described the accusations as “falsely accused circumstances” and stated that stepping down was in the best interest of the board.

Background

Prior to his appointment, Yokeley had run unsuccessfully for the Surry County Board of Education in 2022, with a campaign that reportedly focused on national COVID policies. He had also expressed anti-vaccine views on social media. The case is pending in the local court system.

References: Election Official Accused of Slipping Drugs into Granddaughters’ Dairy Queen Blizzards | GOP election official accused of spiking granddaughters’ Dairy Queen with cocaine, MDMA