A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
