A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
