An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
