A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
