An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
