San Diego County, California — A Southern California man has admitted to operating a large-scale illegal psilocybin mushroom business while repeatedly giving hallucinogenic drugs to his two young sons and involving them in the operation, according to federal prosecutors.
The guilty plea marks a significant development in a federal investigation that uncovered hundreds of pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, drug-processing equipment, and multiple firearms during searches of two North County properties.
The defendant now faces decades behind bars after admitting to several federal drug and obstruction-related offenses.
Federal Investigation Uncovered Large Drug Operation
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, investigators executed search warrants at two properties connected to 43-year-old Randal Vance on Oct. 4, 2024.
At a property in Fallbrook, authorities recovered approximately:
- 204 pounds of fresh psilocybin mushrooms
- 53 pounds of dried mushrooms
- 18 pounds of mushroom-growing substrate
- Equipment used to cultivate, harvest, and process psilocybin products
During a separate search at a Bonsall property, investigators seized an additional 25 pounds of dried mushrooms along with approximately five pounds of psilocybin capsules, prosecutors said.
Authorities also recovered several unsecured firearms, including handguns, rifles, and revolvers. According to prosecutors, loaded magazines were found alongside some of the weapons.
Prosecutors Say Children Were Involved in the Operation
Federal prosecutors identified Vance as the organizer of the drug trafficking operation.
According to his plea agreement, his two sons—who were 9 and 11 years old when the conspiracy began—helped cultivate, produce, and distribute psilocybin mushrooms from the North County properties.
Prosecutors also said Vance admitted to repeatedly giving the boys psilocybin capsules.
Court records state he initially administered the capsules every other day beginning in October 2023 before increasing the frequency to daily use during 2024.
Investigators further alleged that Vance supplied capsules to his oldest son, who was 12 years old, to sell to friends. According to prosecutors, he also admitted providing psilocybin products to his wife for distribution.
Online Business Allegedly Sold Psychedelic Products
Court documents state that Vance operated multiple online platforms used to market and sell psilocybin products.
Prosecutors said the business promoted dried mushrooms, freeze-dried mushrooms, mushroom-infused chocolates, and capsules containing pure psilocybin through dedicated websites and social media accounts.
Authorities allege the online operation played a central role in distributing the federally controlled substance.
Evidence Allegedly Destroyed After Arrest
Federal prosecutors said Vance was arrested on the same day search warrants were executed. According to court documents, after his arrest he and his co-defendants allegedly attempted to destroy evidence connected to the investigation.
Prosecutors claim they conspired to delete phone messages and remove the websites that had been used to sell psilocybin products. His wife, Rebecca Vance, and co-defendant Keir Ceballos-Rivera have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Sentencing Scheduled Later This Year
As part of the plea agreement, Vance admitted guilt to multiple federal charges, including conspiracy to use minors in drug production and distribution, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distributing controlled substances to minors, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
He is scheduled to be sentenced in September.
Based on the maximum penalties associated with each conviction, prosecutors said he could face up to 110 years in federal prison, although the final sentence will be determined by the court.
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