A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
