Topline: James Yokeley, chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections, has stepped down after facing felony charges.
Published: September 2, 2025 9:00 am ET
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James E. Yokeley Jr. (via Wilmington Police Department)
SURRY COUNTY, NC — James Yokeley, the chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections, resigned after police accused him of putting drugs in ice cream meant for two minors.
Yokeley, 66, was arrested on charges of contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance, felony child abuse, and felony possession of a Schedule I narcotic.
The two teenagers involved were Yokeley’s 16-year-old step-granddaughter and her 15-year-old friend, according to police.
The resignation followed a call for him to step down by North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek, as reported by WHQR.
Yokeley, who was appointed to his position by the state auditor in June, submitted a resignation letter stating his belief that he will be “exonerated of all accusations.”
He wrote, “This decision has not been made lightly. 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.”
In a press conference, Wilmington Police Department spokesperson Lieutenant Greg Willett said Yokeley and the teenagers went to a Dairy Queen around closing time. The 16-year-old was driving Yokeley’s vehicle when they left the restaurant. Shortly after, the two teenagers found blue pressed pills in their ice cream.
Willett stated that the teenagers panicked and pulled into a nearby gas station after spotting an EMS vehicle. When police arrived, they conducted a preliminary test that indicated the pills tested positive for cocaine and MDMA.
“There’s no question, you know, we’re talking about drugs here,” Willett said. “It’s just getting to the point where it’s isolated, identifying exactly what drugs are there — that’s in progress right now with the lab.”
Medical personnel checked the teens and determined they had not consumed any of the substances.
During the investigation, officers watched surveillance video from the Dairy Queen. The video showed Yokeley putting pills into the victims’ ice cream. Four Dairy Queen employees told police they didn’t notice anything suspicious.
Yokeley was taken to the New Hanover County Detention Center after his arrest on August 26 and posted a $100,000 bond. He will make his first court appearance on Wednesday, September 3.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections will appoint a new Surry County chair as soon as possible, as reported by WXII 12. The new chair will be selected from two nominations by the North Carolina Republican Party.
State Auditor Dave Boliek said in an August 28 statement, “As I had called for, the Chair of the Surry County Board of Elections has resigned. With his resignation, the Surry County Board and State Board can now, without distraction, move forward with the process of appointing a replacement.”
Police are continuing their investigation while waiting for conclusive lab results. The district attorney is also meeting with police to determine if additional charges will be filed against Yokeley.
Officials said social services confirmed the teens are safe.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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NC Election Chair Resigns Amid Accusations of Drugging Granddaughter, Teen Friend
James Yokeley, chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections, has stepped down after facing felony charges.
By Kate Byrd
Published: September 2, 2025 9:00 am ET
James E. Yokeley Jr. (via Wilmington Police Department)
SURRY COUNTY, NC — James Yokeley, the chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections, resigned after police accused him of putting drugs in ice cream meant for two minors.
Yokeley, 66, was arrested on charges of contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance, felony child abuse, and felony possession of a Schedule I narcotic.
The two teenagers involved were Yokeley’s 16-year-old step-granddaughter and her 15-year-old friend, according to police.
The resignation followed a call for him to step down by North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek, as reported by WHQR.
Yokeley, who was appointed to his position by the state auditor in June, submitted a resignation letter stating his belief that he will be “exonerated of all accusations.”
He wrote, “This decision has not been made lightly. 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.”
In a press conference, Wilmington Police Department spokesperson Lieutenant Greg Willett said Yokeley and the teenagers went to a Dairy Queen around closing time. The 16-year-old was driving Yokeley’s vehicle when they left the restaurant. Shortly after, the two teenagers found blue pressed pills in their ice cream.
Willett stated that the teenagers panicked and pulled into a nearby gas station after spotting an EMS vehicle. When police arrived, they conducted a preliminary test that indicated the pills tested positive for cocaine and MDMA.
“There’s no question, you know, we’re talking about drugs here,” Willett said. “It’s just getting to the point where it’s isolated, identifying exactly what drugs are there — that’s in progress right now with the lab.”
Medical personnel checked the teens and determined they had not consumed any of the substances.
During the investigation, officers watched surveillance video from the Dairy Queen. The video showed Yokeley putting pills into the victims’ ice cream. Four Dairy Queen employees told police they didn’t notice anything suspicious.
Yokeley was taken to the New Hanover County Detention Center after his arrest on August 26 and posted a $100,000 bond. He will make his first court appearance on Wednesday, September 3.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections will appoint a new Surry County chair as soon as possible, as reported by WXII 12. The new chair will be selected from two nominations by the North Carolina Republican Party.
State Auditor Dave Boliek said in an August 28 statement, “As I had called for, the Chair of the Surry County Board of Elections has resigned. With his resignation, the Surry County Board and State Board can now, without distraction, move forward with the process of appointing a replacement.”
Police are continuing their investigation while waiting for conclusive lab results. The district attorney is also meeting with police to determine if additional charges will be filed against Yokeley.
Officials said social services confirmed the teens are safe.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
NC Election Chair Resigns Amid Accusations of Drugging Granddaughter, Teen Friend
James Yokeley, chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections, has stepped down after facing felony charges.
By Kate Byrd
Published: September 2, 2025 9:00 am ET
James E. Yokeley Jr. (via Wilmington Police Department)
SURRY COUNTY, NC — James Yokeley, the chairman of the Surry County Board of Elections, resigned after police accused him of putting drugs in ice cream meant for two minors.
Yokeley, 66, was arrested on charges of contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance, felony child abuse, and felony possession of a Schedule I narcotic.
The two teenagers involved were Yokeley’s 16-year-old step-granddaughter and her 15-year-old friend, according to police.
The resignation followed a call for him to step down by North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek, as reported by WHQR.
Yokeley, who was appointed to his position by the state auditor in June, submitted a resignation letter stating his belief that he will be “exonerated of all accusations.”
He wrote, “This decision has not been made lightly. 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.”
In a press conference, Wilmington Police Department spokesperson Lieutenant Greg Willett said Yokeley and the teenagers went to a Dairy Queen around closing time. The 16-year-old was driving Yokeley’s vehicle when they left the restaurant. Shortly after, the two teenagers found blue pressed pills in their ice cream.
Willett stated that the teenagers panicked and pulled into a nearby gas station after spotting an EMS vehicle. When police arrived, they conducted a preliminary test that indicated the pills tested positive for cocaine and MDMA.
“There’s no question, you know, we’re talking about drugs here,” Willett said. “It’s just getting to the point where it’s isolated, identifying exactly what drugs are there — that’s in progress right now with the lab.”
Medical personnel checked the teens and determined they had not consumed any of the substances.
During the investigation, officers watched surveillance video from the Dairy Queen. The video showed Yokeley putting pills into the victims’ ice cream. Four Dairy Queen employees told police they didn’t notice anything suspicious.
Yokeley was taken to the New Hanover County Detention Center after his arrest on August 26 and posted a $100,000 bond. He will make his first court appearance on Wednesday, September 3.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections will appoint a new Surry County chair as soon as possible, as reported by WXII 12. The new chair will be selected from two nominations by the North Carolina Republican Party.
State Auditor Dave Boliek said in an August 28 statement, “As I had called for, the Chair of the Surry County Board of Elections has resigned. With his resignation, the Surry County Board and State Board can now, without distraction, move forward with the process of appointing a replacement.”
Police are continuing their investigation while waiting for conclusive lab results. The district attorney is also meeting with police to determine if additional charges will be filed against Yokeley.
Officials said social services confirmed the teens are safe.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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