A North Carolina election official is facing serious charges after allegedly slipping drugs into his two granddaughters’ Dairy Queen Blizzards.
James Yokeley Jr., 66, has been charged with felony child abuse, possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance.
According to Wilmington police, the incident unfolded on Aug. 8 when Yokeley flagged down officers at a gas station. His two granddaughters, ages 15 and 16, had discovered “hard objects” inside their milkshakes from the Dairy Queen on Oleander Drive.
An arrest warrant obtained by PEOPLE states that the blue pills tested positive for cocaine and MDMA. Police confirmed the teens did not ingest the drugs. Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage that allegedly showed Yokeley placing the pills in the Blizzards.
He was arrested on Aug. 26 and booked into the New Hanover County Detention Center. Court records show he posted a $100,000 secured bond the same day. Yokeley has not yet entered a plea and is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 11. His attorney has not responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Yokeley, a Republican, had recently been appointed chair of the Surry County Board of Elections in June by State Auditor Dave Boliek. This week, Boliek called for Yokeley’s resignation or removal, according to WRAL and the News & Observer.
Just as the state Board of Elections prepared to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday, Yokeley submitted a resignation letter to Boliek. He wrote that the decision did not come “lightly,” describing the charges as “falsely accused circumstances.”
“After much prayer, thoughtful reflection and consultation, I have concluded that it’s in the best interest of the State Board of Elections and Surry County Board of Elections, regarding my own falsely accused circumstances, to step down at this time,” Yokeley stated.
He added that he is confident he will ultimately be “exonerated of all accusations levied against me.”
