🔗 Share this article Person admits sexual offenses targeting boys at youth camp Jon Ruben pleaded guilty to 17 criminal counts at the courthouse on Friday A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten. The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month. The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday. Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child. The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November. 'Treat game' The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body. She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated. The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible". She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning. She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025. The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably. "They chose" to investigate in the individual's items." The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions. She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day. "Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued. The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events. The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more. She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.