San Diego Father Pleads Guilty To Giving Magic Mushrooms To His Children

A San Diego County father has pleaded guilty to multiple federal drug charges after admitting he regularly gave psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, to his two young sons while operating an illegal drug business.

Federal prosecutors say 43-year-old Randal Vance of Fallbrook provided psilocybin capsules to his children beginning in late 2023, when the boys were just 9 and 11 years old. According to court records, the doses initially occurred every other day before increasing to daily use the following year.

Authorities say Vance involved his children in the cultivation and production of the mushrooms and even supplied capsules to his oldest son to sell to friends. Prosecutors described the operation as a family-run drug business that used minors to help manufacture and distribute illegal substances.

The operation was based out of properties in Fallbrook and Bonsall in northern San Diego County, where investigators discovered large quantities of mushrooms, capsules, chocolates, and equipment used to grow and process the drugs. Law enforcement officials also recovered several firearms during the searches.

Vance pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distributing controlled substances to minors, employing minors in drug trafficking activities, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Prosecutors say members of the group later attempted to destroy evidence by deleting messages and removing online material connected to the operation after investigators began closing in.

According to federal officials, Vance marketed and sold dried mushrooms, capsules, chocolates, and other psilocybin products online while expanding the operation throughout Southern California. Psilocybin remains illegal under federal law and is classified as a controlled substance.

Vance’s attorney disputed portions of the government’s characterization of the case, arguing that the doses provided to the children were extremely small and claiming the boys suffered no lasting effects. The defense said the children are now living with relatives and are doing well.

Vance’s wife, Rebecca Vance, and an associate, Keir Ceballos-Rivera, previously pleaded guilty in connection with the case and are awaiting sentencing. Randal Vance is scheduled to be sentenced later this year and faces the possibility of significant prison time for his role in the operation.