An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
