A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
