COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy expressed shock that a man who served as his family’s bodyguard is facing federal drug trafficking charges.
Justin Salsbury, 43, of Bellefontaine, and his wife, Ruthann Rankin, were each charged late last month with conspiracy and possession of drugs with intent to distribute a large quantity of drugs through the U.S. mail.
Salsbury was employed by a private security firm hired by the Ramaswamy family to provide protection, according to campaign spokesperson Connie Luck. She said Ark Protection immediately removed him from the home security staff upon learning of the incident.
According to the criminal complaint, 261 packages containing counterfeit OxyContin and other pills were delivered to the couple’s home in western Ohio between August 2024 and last month. Rankin has been relieved of his duties as a teacher at the nearby Urbana school, according to a statement released by the district.
Salsbury is being held at the Franklin County Jail in Columbus, according to the facility’s website. It’s unclear whether Rankin is in custody.
“Vivek’s family contracted with a private security company for protective services and are shocked to hear this disturbing news,” Lark said in the text message.
She said Salsbury had passed multiple background checks conducted by the security company, the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation before being hired. The most recent one was performed by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in September, she said.
Salsbury also passed a pre-employment drug test and never failed a random drug screen, Luck said. A message left with an attorney who has represented Salsbury in the past was not immediately returned.
“Vivek and his family take safety issues seriously and will support holding these individuals accountable if these allegations are proven,” Lark said.
