A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
