A person who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
