A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
