A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
