An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
