Republican election chief accused of slipping MDMA, cocaine into granddaughters’ ice cream

James Edwin Yokeley Jr. — the 66-year-old Republican chairman of the Surry County, North Carolina, Board of Elections — faces serious criminal charges after authorities in Wilmington, North Carolina, revealed he allegedly slipped illegal drugs into his granddaughters' ice cream.

According to Raleigh, North Carolina NBC affiliate WRAL News, on August 8, Yokeley approached a Wilmington police officer and claimed his two juvenile granddaughters had discovered two suspicious pills in ice cream they’d purchased from Dairy Queen on Oleander Drive.

However, surveillance video later revealed that Yokeley himself was seen placing the pills into both of the girls’ treats. The pills reportedly tested positive for MDMA and cocaine, as noted in an arrest warrant. The authorities said they have evidence he slipped drugs into the girls' ice cream.

According to the report, neither child consumed the drugs; the pills were promptly sent to a state laboratory for further confirmation.

Yokeley has since been booked on multiple felony counts, including contaminating food or drink with a controlled substance, possession of Schedule I narcotics, and child abuse. He posted a $100,000 secured bond after his arrest and transport to the New Hanover County Detention Center, per the report.

Yokeley was appointed just two months prior in June, by State Auditor Dave Boliek to lead the Surry County Board of Elections.

Click here to read WRAL's full report.