A man who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
