Randal Vance, along with Keir Ceballos-Rivera and Rebecca Vance, faces federal charges for allegedly involving children in the cultivation and distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. The indictment states that the activities took place in Fallbrook and Bonsall.
The defendants made their initial court appearance on drug-trafficking charges. Randal Vance and Ceballos-Rivera are accused of conspiring to use minors in drug production, while all three face charges related to distributing controlled substances and obstructing justice by destroying evidence. Randal Vance is also charged with distributing drugs to minors and possessing firearms during drug trafficking.
Prosecutors revealed that the children involved were aged 9 and 11 when the alleged activities began. Psilocybin mushrooms, known for their hallucinogenic properties, were reportedly cultivated at sites on Ash Street in Fallbrook and Lilac Road in Bonsall.
During a hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie E. Torres ordered the detention of Randal and Rebecca Vance without bond due to flight risk concerns. A detention hearing for Ceballos-Rivera is scheduled for March 25, 2025.
The prosecution presented evidence that Randal Vance informed associates about the involvement of minors in producing psilocybin. He allegedly texted a photo showing one minor holding a mushroom at the Ash Street site, stating that "the 11-year-old helps me grow them."
One incident described involved a minor informing Randal Vance about selling a psilocybin capsule to a friend for $3 while attending Lincoln Middle School in Oceanside. Vance reportedly responded: "Nice! Make sure your friend’s parents don’t find out or you and I are in big big trouble."
The indictment also alleges that Randal Vance administered psilocybin to children, advising others to do so as well. On October 13, 2023, he allegedly messaged a co-conspirator with a photo of an 11-year-old holding a mushroom, claiming it was beneficial for kids' brains.
Ceballos-Rivera reportedly sent an image of another child holding a mushroom at the Ash Street location on September 7, 2024, commenting: “From earlier today haha” and “‘No face, no case.’”
Randal Vance faces additional charges for possessing several firearms during drug-related activities. Law enforcement recovered significant quantities of fresh and dried psilocybin mushrooms from both locations during searches conducted on October 4, 2024.
Authorities seized six firearms from Lilac Road; these included pistols and rifles found alongside loaded magazines.
Following his arrest by local law enforcement before federal custody was established, Randal Vance was accused of collaborating with others to destroy evidence such as phone messages and websites used for psilocybin distribution.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Benjamin and Dana Segal are handling the prosecution of this case.
Concerned individuals regarding potential exposure of children to illegal drugs connected to this case can contact the DEA through their online tip portal.
