Individual pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program
A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
