A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
