A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program 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 settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
