A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
