A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
