A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
