An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police again.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
