A San Diego County father has admitted to involving his two young sons in a troubling scheme to cultivate and distribute hallucinogenic mushrooms. Randal Vance, 43, pleaded guilty to administering daily doses of psilocybin capsules to his children, ages 9 and 11, as part of an operation that he ran alongside his wife and a friend.
Growing and Distributing Psilocybin Mushrooms
Vance’s illicit activities were uncovered during a search warrant execution in October 2024, revealing an alarming quantity of drugs. Authorities found 257 pounds of mushrooms and 18 pounds of growing material at one location in Fallbrook, while another site in Bonsall yielded an additional 25 pounds of mushrooms and five pounds of psilocybin capsules, alongside six firearms.
As part of a plea deal, Vance confessed to starting the daily dosing of his children with psilocybin capsules from October 2023, escalating to daily doses by 2024. Following his arrest, officials noted that psilocybin mushrooms are classified as controlled substances that produce hallucinogenic effects.
Implications and Ongoing Investigations
The investigation has broader implications, as Vance managed multiple online platforms, including two websites and an Instagram account, to promote and sell these hallucinogenic substances. Reports indicate that Vance even supplied mushrooms to his older son for resale among peers.
After his arrest, Vance and his accomplices reportedly attempted to destroy evidence by deleting messages and shutting down their online operations. Vance’s wife, Rebecca Vance, 42, and their associate, Keir Ceballos-Rivera, 34, have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting their sentences. At the time of his arrest, Vance was already out on bond for prior state charges, raising concerns about the extent of his activities and the safety of his children.
