An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
