A person who laced sweets with sedative 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 taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
