A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
