A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
