San Quentin Guard Pleads Guilty To Smuggling Drugs For Cash

BAY AREA, CA — A former corrections employee carried a fake peanut butter jar packed with methamphetamine through the gates of a Bay Area prison, according to federal prosecutors, who said the alleged smuggling operation lasted for years and generated more than $100,000 in illicit payments.

Keith Reindeer Randle, 56, of Vallejo, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute more than 300 grams of methamphetamine inside the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (formerly known as San Quentin State Prison).

He was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Federal prosecutors allege the former prison employee ran a years-long contraband pipeline that moved methamphetamine, marijuana, and tobacco into the prison while collecting bribes.

Prosecutors said Randle used his position as a prison employee to move methamphetamine, marijuana, and tobacco to inmates from at least January 2019 through August 2024.

Investigators said he charged roughly $1,000 for each item he smuggled into the prison and eventually shifted payments away from inmates themselves to outside associates in an effort to avoid detection.

Federal authorities said investigators found Randle on Aug. 15, 2024, carrying a hollowed-out peanut butter jar painted brown and glued shut to resemble an unopened container. Inside, authorities found 301 grams of methamphetamine along with marijuana, according to a news released from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California.

In the complaint, prosecutors said the smuggling scheme generated large cash flows over several years. Prosecutors also alleged that inmate associates sent $31,000 to Randle’s PayPal account between January 2019 and April 2020. Another inmate’s wife allegedly sent about $40,926 through Cash App between July 2021 and August 2022 in exchange for contraband deliveries to her husband inside San Quentin.

By 2023 and 2024, prosecutors said Randle largely demanded cash payments. Federal agents later seized $55,210 from two residences connected to Randle during an October 2024 search. Authorities allege the money came directly from the bribery and prison drug-trafficking operation, and that Randle used the proceeds to buy cars, motorcycles, and other assets.

Craig H. Missakian and Matthew Cobo announced the guilty plea. Randle is scheduled to return to court Aug. 21 before Susan Illston for sentencing. He faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison and a possible $5 million fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin K. Kleinman is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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