An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
