RALEIGH — Former Surry County Board of Elections Chair James Yokeley Jr. was indicted on three new charges linked to his arrest for allegedly doctoring ice cream for his granddaughters with narcotics last August.
Yokeley’s new indictment includes two counts of unlawful distribution of food or beverage and one count of intentional child abuse.
Court records also show an additional charge not included in the indictment of felony possession of a Schedule I drug.
Yokeley was released last November under a $100,000 secured bond with the conditions that he have no contact with the victims, his granddaughters, and must comply with electronic monitoring.
On Aug. 8, 2025, Yokeley allegedly placed illegal narcotics (MDMA and cocaine) into the ice cream of his two juvenile granddaughters while at a Dairy Queen. He initially reported to police that the girls had found hard objects in their treats, but surveillance video showed him putting the pills in the ice cream.
The girls did not ingest any of the drugs, and at that time Yokeley was charged with felony child abuse, possession of Schedule I substances and contaminating food with controlled substances.
North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek, who had appointed Yokeley to the Surry Board earlier in 2025, publicly called for his immediate resignation, citing the distraction from election duties in Surry County.
Yokeley resigned shortly after, stating in his resignation letter it was in the best interest of the board amid his “falsely accused circumstances” and he believed he would be exonerated.
“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 wrote in his resignation letter. “Based on the truth and facts, I remain prayerfully confident that I will be exonerated of all accusations levied against me.”
The North Carolina State Board of Elections canceled a planned emergency session following the resignation, allowing focus to shift to appointing a replacement.
Chris White later replaced Yokeley as chair in late October. White was selected after nominations from the North Carolina Republican Party. He is a previous chair of the Surry County Republican Party and has served on local boards like the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.
