An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
