Individual admits sex offences involving children at summer camp
A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
