A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
