A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
