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California Father Pleads Guilty to Dosing Sons and Running Large Psilocybin Operation

The admission could prompt criminal penalties and separate child-welfare action ahead of his September sentencing.

Overview

  • Randal Vance pleaded guilty to federal counts that include using minors to produce and distribute a controlled substance, distributing to minors, conspiracy to distribute, and obstructing justice.
  • Prosecutors say he admitted giving his two young sons psilocybin capsules beginning in late 2023 and increasing to daily use by 2024 while enlisting them to help sell the drugs.
  • Law enforcement seized commercial-scale supplies during October 2024 raids, including hundreds of pounds of fresh mushrooms, dozens of pounds dried or in capsules, cultivation equipment and six firearms.
  • Authorities say Vance marketed products through two websites and an Instagram account and that he and co-defendants deleted messages and took down sites to destroy evidence.
  • Vance is scheduled for sentencing on September 18 and faces both federal punishment and potential child-welfare interventions as two co-defendants await their own sentencing dates.