Vivek Ramaswamy ‘alarmed’ after family’s bodyguard charged for drug trafficking | Vivek Ramaswamy
Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy expressed concern after his family’s bodyguard was recently arrested on federal drug trafficking charges.
Justin Salsburey, 43, and his wife, Ruthann Rankin, 38, were charged Dec. 30 with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute large amounts of narcotics through the U.S. mail.
Authorities executing the search warrant allegedly found a stash of illegal drugs at the couple’s home. According to a affidavit Approximately 261 packages containing counterfeit OxyContin pills that tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as MDMA and steroids, were delivered to the couple’s home in western Ohio between August 2024 and December, according to the report filed by an investigator.
Campaign spokeswoman Connie Luck told the Guardian that Salsburey was hired by a private security firm contracted by Ramaswamy’s family to provide protective services. He said the family was “panicked to hear this disturbing news.”
“Upon becoming aware of this issue in recent days, the external security firm immediately removed the person from the security team,” Luck said.
Rankin was also removed from his teaching position in nearby Urbana and placed on unpaid leave while the investigation continues, according to a news release. expression Posted by school district.
Luck said Salsburey passed multiple background checks conducted by the security company, the FBI and the Ohio bureau of criminal investigation before working with the family. The last check was conducted by Ohio State University’s Wexner medical center in September.
He said Salsburey also passed a pre-employment drug test and did not fail any random drug screens.
“Vivek and his family take safety issues seriously and support efforts to hold these individuals accountable for these allegations if proven,” Luck added.
Salsburey is being held in the Franklincounty jail and was ordered held in custody pending trial. It was unclear where Rankin was being held.
Ramaswamy sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 before withdrawing from the race and supporting Donald Trump, who eventually won the second presidency.
Trump also endorsed Ramaswamy’s candidacy to replace term-limited Republican Mike DeWine as governor of Ohio. DeWine also endorsed Ramaswamy.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and author of Woke Inc, faces the Republican primary in May. The general election will be held in early November.
