Vivek Ramaswamy ‘alarmed’ after family’s bodyguard charged for drug trafficking

Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has expressed concern after his family’s bodyguard was arrested recently on federal drug-trafficking charges.

Justin Salsburey, 43, and his wife, 38-year-old Ruthann Rankin, were each charged on 30 December with conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute large amounts of narcotics through the US mail.

Authorities executing a search warrant allegedly discovered a trove of illicit drugs at the couple’s home. According to an affidavit filed by an inspector, about 261 parcels containing counterfeit OxyContin pills that tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as MDMA and steroids, were delivered to the couple’s western Ohio home between August 2024 and December.

Salsburey was employed by a private security firm contracted by Ramaswamy’s family to provide protective services, campaign spokesperson Connie Luck told the Guardian. She said the family had been “alarmed to hear this disturbing news”.

“Upon being informed of this matter in recent days, the outside security firm immediately removed the individual from the security detail,” Luck said.

Rankin has also been removed from her employment as a schoolteacher in nearby Urbana and placed on unpaid leave while the investigation continues, according to a statement posted by the school district.

Luck said that Salsburey had cleared multiple background checks run by the security company, the FBI and the Ohio bureau of criminal investigation prior to his employment with the family. The most recent check was conducted by Ohio State University’s Wexner medical center in September.

Salsburey had also passed a pre-employment drug test and never failed a random drug screening, she said.

“Vivek and his family take matters of safety seriously and support efforts to hold these individuals accountable for these allegations if they are proven,” Luck added.

Salsburey is being held in the Franklin county jail and was ordered to remain in custody pending trial. It was unclear where Rankin was being held.

Ramaswamy sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 before he dropped out of the race and endorsed Donald Trump, who eventually won a second presidency.

Trump in turn has endorsed Ramaswamy’s run to succeed Republican Mike DeWine, who is term-limited, as Ohio governor. DeWine has also endorsed Ramaswamy.

Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and the author of Woke Inc, faces a Republican primary in May. The general election is set for early November.