A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
