Man pleads guilty to sexual crimes involving children at summer camp
A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
