A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
