An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
