A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
