A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.