Randal Vance, Keir Ceballos-Rivera, and Rebecca Vance have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the production and distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. The indictment alleges that they used minors in their operations at locations in Fallbrook and Bonsall.
The defendants appeared in federal court facing several drug-trafficking charges. Randal Vance and Ceballos-Rivera are accused of conspiring to employ minors for drug production, while all three face charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and obstruct justice. Additionally, Randal Vance is charged with distributing drugs to minors and possessing firearms in connection with drug trafficking.
Prosecutors stated that the children involved were 9 and 11 years old when the alleged activities began. Psilocybin mushrooms are classified as hallucinogenic drugs known for altering consciousness and sensory experiences.
At the court hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie E. Torres ordered Randal and Rebecca Vance detained without bond due to flight risk concerns. A detention hearing for Ceballos-Rivera is scheduled for March 25, 2025.
The prosecution revealed that Randal Vance communicated with customers about the minors' involvement in psilocybin production. In one instance from October 18, 2023, he shared a photo of a minor holding a mushroom, indicating their participation.
One minor reportedly informed Randal Vance about selling a psilocybin capsule at school, to which Vance responded with cautionary advice against parental discovery.
The indictment also claims that Randal Vance promoted dosing children with psilocybin as beneficial for their brains. He allegedly described microdosing practices involving young children.
Ceballos-Rivera is accused of sending images supporting these claims. On September 7, 2024, he sent a photo of another child holding a mushroom with comments implying secrecy: “No face, no case.”
In addition to drug-related charges, Randal Vance faces allegations of illegal firearm possession linked to drug offenses. Law enforcement recovered various firearms during searches at the implicated locations on October 4, 2024.
Searches yielded significant quantities of fresh and dried psilocybin mushrooms along with related products like chocolate bars and capsules across both sites in Fallbrook and Bonsall.
Following his arrest by local authorities prior to federal detention, it's alleged that the defendants attempted to destroy evidence by deleting communications and websites used for distribution purposes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Benjamin and Dana Segal are prosecuting this case. Concerned parents suspecting exposure can contact the DEA through their official website.