Former NC Elections Board Chair Indicted in Disturbing Child-Related Drug Case
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. — A former North Carolina elections official is once again facing serious legal trouble after a grand jury handed down new charges tied to a disturbing allegation involving children and contaminated food.
James Yokeley Jr., a former chair of a county board of elections, was indicted on three additional charges on January 20 in connection with claims that he allegedly drugged ice cream consumed by his granddaughter and her friend.
According to court records, Yokeley is now charged with intentional child abuse resulting in serious physical injury and two counts of unlawful distribution of food or beverage.
Pills Found in Children’s Ice Cream, Police Say
The case first came to light in August 2025 when Yokeley reportedly flagged down law enforcement at a Sheetz gas station in Wilmington. Officers said Yokeley claimed the children discovered hard objects inside their ice cream, which had been ordered from a Dairy Queen on Oleander Drive.
Investigators later confirmed the objects were pills.
Testing conducted by authorities revealed the pills allegedly found in the ice cream tested positive for MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and also showed traces of cocaine, according to earlier reporting.
Following his arrest, Yokeley resigned from his role with the Surry County Board of Public Elections, stepping down amid mounting public scrutiny and outrage over the allegations.
Former NC Elections Board Chair Indicted
Initially, Yokeley was charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, two counts of contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance, and felony child abuse.
However, prosecutors later dropped three of the four original charges, citing insufficient evidence at the time.
As of publication, Yokeley’s next court date has not yet been scheduled.
