A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
