An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
