A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
