A North Carolina election official has stepped down from his post following an arrest for an alleged drug-related incident involving his granddaughters, according to the Wilmington Police Department.
James Yokeley Jr. approached an officer at a Sheetz gas station in Surry County, North Carolina, on the 8th of August. Yokeley reportedly informed the officer that his granddaughters, whose identities have not been revealed, discovered pills in the ice creams they had purchased from a nearby Dairy Queen. Preliminary field tests of these substances, the police department notes, revealed they were illegal narcotics, later identified as MDMA and cocaine.
An investigation was subsequently launched by the authorities, and video footage was reviewed, which exhibited Yokeley, aged 66, depositing the pills into the ice creams. During this period, Yokeley was acting as the guardian of the girls for the weekend, as reported by WGHP. A possible motive has not been disclosed by the police department, with the investigation still in progress.
Yokeley was subsequently taken into custody and charged with adulterating food or drink with a controlled substance and felony child abuse, the police department reported. An additional charge of possession of a Schedule I narcotic was also levied against him. Yokeley was transported to the New Hanover County Detention Center, and he later posted a $100,000 secured bond.
Yokeley held a position of trust, having been appointed to head the Surry County Board of Elections earlier this year. He was first elected to the board in 2023. However, following calls for his resignation, he vacated his position on Thursday morning, the State Board of Elections confirmed. In his resignation letter, he expressed his confidence in being cleared of all accusations against him.
Also Read: UGA Halts Sigma Chi Pledging as Hazing Allegations Spark Investigation
A public official, entrusted with upholding democratic processes, finds himself at the center of grave allegations, reminding us that the pursuit of justice and truth remains paramount. Questions still await answers as the investigation continues.
