A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
