An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
