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A person who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.

The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.

The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.

She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities a second time.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.