Wilmington, North Carolina – A North Carolina man accused of putting pills in Dairy Queen Blizzards served to two teenagers faces additional charges following a grand jury indictment in January 2026. The case has undergone significant legal developments since his arrest in August 2025, including the dismissal of three drug-related charges after laboratory testing.
The Wilmington Police Department identified the suspect as James Yokeley Jr., 66, who was arrested in August 2025. The teenagers involved were his 16-year-old step-granddaughter and her 15-year-old friend
Police said the incident occurred on August 3, 2025, when Yokeley took the two teenagers to Dairy Queen. Investigators alleged that pills were placed in the ice cream served to them.
According to local reporting, the teenagers found pills in their ice cream and did not ingest the substances. Initial field tests indicated that the pills contained MDMA and cocaine. However, subsequent laboratory testing led to the dismissal of three drug-related charges.
The available local reporting does not support the original article's claims that the teenagers ingested alprazolam or experienced symptoms of benzodiazepine poisoning. Those claims have therefore been removed.
Three drug-related charges against Yokeley were dismissed after laboratory testing found that the substances did not qualify as controlled substances under North Carolina law. One felony child-abuse charge remained at that stage. The dismissals did not resolve the entire case.
On January 20, 2026, a New Hanover County grand jury returned an indictment charging Yokeley with two counts of unlawful distribution of food or beverage and one count of intentional child abuse involving serious physical injury, according to WECT's January 26 report.
On April 16, 2026, a judge denied Yokeley's request to have his GPS ankle monitor removed. WECT reported that the court cited the need to ensure compliance with the conditions of his release, including no-contact provisions.
Yokeley was formerly associated with the Surry County Board of Elections and resigned following his arrest, according to local reporting. The original article's references to Alan L. Cutler, the New Hanover County Board of Elections and a $225,000 secured bond do not match the reporting about this case.
The legal proceedings have progressed from the initial arrest and drug-related allegations to a subsequent indictment and pretrial monitoring decision. The latest case-specific report located for this update is dated April 17, 2026.
The current court status, including whether additional hearings have occurred or a trial date has been scheduled, should be confirmed with the New Hanover County court docket or the District Attorney's Office before publication. The charges remain allegations unless and until established through the legal process.
(Rh/Eth/MSM/2UpMSM)
