Boulder County drug task force finds psilocybin mushroom grow in Lyons

Mitchell Byars, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read

Aug. 2—A man and a woman have been arrested after the Boulder County Drug Task Force connected them to a large psilocybin mushroom grow at a house in Lyons where authorities said they also found numerous other drugs.

Richard Eric Bookal, 51, and Jessica Marie Ondra, 39, were arrested on suspicion of unlawful manufacturing of psilocybin mushroom and unlawful possession with intent to distribute for psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana loose leaf, marijuana concentrate, cocaine, MDMA, LSD, Ketamine, Oxycodone, Alprazolam, Clonazepam and Modafinil.

Both are also facing two counts of misdemeanor child abuse.

Jail records show Ondra was arrested Wednesday and Bookal was arrested on Friday.

According to an arrest affidavit, the Boulder County Drug Task Force served a search warrant at 100 Eagle Canyon Circle in Lyons for criminal mischief on July 7.

Nobody was home, so officers went in through an open glass door and found a large psilocybin mushroom grow, with 555 "clusters" of mushrooms totaling just under 3,000 pounds.

In addition, the task force found about 5 pounds of dried psilocybin mushroom.

According to the affidavit, investigators also found 30 grams of cocaine, 22 grams of Ketamine, 20 grams of LSD, 6 grams of MDMA, 28 Oxycodone pills, eight amphetamine pills, 15 pills of Clonazepam, eight Modafinil pills and 20 pills of Alprazolam, which is more commonly known by the brand name Xanax.

According to the affidavit, the search also produced about 18 pounds of loose leaf marijuana as well as marijuana concentrate and some of the supplies and tools used to create marijuana extract.

Investigators also found $57,844 in cash at the residence. Ondra reported her income was only $2,128 in 2018, according to the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Ondra has one prior conviction in 2015 for driving under the influence.

Online court records show Ondra was released on a $1,000 cash bond and is set for a hearing on Aug. 11.

Court records do not yet show a court date for Bookal.

Their booking photos have not yet been released by the Boulder County Jail.