A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
