Surry County Election Commission Chair Resigns Amid Drug Allegations
The chair of the Surry County Election Commission in North Carolina has stepped down following allegations of being caught on surveillance video involved in a drug incident with his granddaughter and another teenager.
On August 3, Republican official James Yokeley Jr. reportedly alerted police at a gas station close to a Dairy Queen in New Hanover County, claiming he suspected two teens of having drugs concealed in an ice cream treat. However, shortly after reviewing the restaurant’s surveillance footage, authorities offered a different account.
Surveillance clearly indicated that Yokeley placed something on the counter, leading Alderman Willett to comment on how the employees were trying to manage the situation, unsure of what he was observing.
Police later recovered small blue pills, identified as cocaine and MDMA, from the ice cream, although the girls did not consume any of the substances.
In his resignation letter, Yokeley not only tendered his resignation but also refuted all allegations against him. He expressed hope for an exoneration, stating that he believed the situation was mischaracterized.
Sarah Whisenant, the owner of the Dairy Queen, mentioned that she didn’t know Yokeley or the two teens but voiced assurance that her employees would never engage in such behavior. She shared her relief over having the video evidence.
At the time of the incident, four employees were present at the Dairy Queen. Both the North Carolina Election Commission and Surry County Election Commission acknowledged awareness of the situation and indicated they would continue investigating as needed.
Yokeley, who took over as head of the Surry Election Commission in June 2025, is facing multiple charges, including possession of controlled substances, felony child abuse, and contamination of food or drink. Reports state that he opted to waive his rights to a court-appointed attorney and is prohibited from contacting the involved teenager. He is currently out on a $100,000 bond.
