A grand jury in New Hanover County, North Carolina, has indicted James Edwin Yokeley Jr., 66, on three felony charges after authorities say he placed pills into the ice cream cones of two teenage girls. The indictment, filed on Monday (January 20), includes two counts of unlawful distribution of food or beverage and one count of intentional child abuse involving serious physical injury.
Yokeley, a former Surry County Board of Elections official, reportedly resigned from his post after the initial charges surfaced in August. Police said the incident involved his 16-year-old step-granddaughter and her 15-year-old friend, who were given Dairy Queen Blizzards allegedly containing pills. Security footage from the store reportedly showed Yokeley placing two pills into the desserts, as detailed by the Wilmington Police Department.
Initial field tests suggested the pills contained MDMA and cocaine, but later lab results found these were not controlled substances under state law. Prosecutors now allege that Yokeley gave the girls food containing trazodone, a prescription sedative that can be dangerous for minors. The new charges reflect these findings, with prosecutors stating Yokeley “attempted to inflict serious physical injury” while the teens were in his care.
Three earlier drug-related charges against Yokeley were dropped last month due to insufficient evidence, but the new indictment focuses on the alleged use of trazodone. Prosecutors and Yokeley’s attorney have declined to comment further, citing ongoing proceedings.
Recent Comments