Man confesses to sexual offenses against boys at youth camp
A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.