COLUMBUS, Ohio (Diya TV) — A bodyguard assigned to protect the family of Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been arrested on federal drug-trafficking charges, according to court records and law enforcement officials.
Justin Salsburey, 43, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, was taken into custody on Dec. 30 along with his wife, Ruthann Rankin, an Urbana schoolteacher. Prosecutors allege the couple distributed large quantities of illegal drugs, including substances containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. The arrest has raised questions about security screening after Salsburey served on a private security team hired to protect Ramaswamy’s family in central Ohio.
Federal investigators say the case began after authorities intercepted suspicious packages mailed to and from Ohio addresses. In one parcel, investigators found 119 blue counterfeit pills labeled as OxyContin. Laboratory tests later showed the pills contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid linked to a surge in overdose deaths nationwide.
Investigators allowed a second package to reach the couple’s home as part of a controlled delivery. After the delivery, officers observed Salsburey and Rankin placing items on their front porch. Several people later retrieved those items, according to the criminal complaint.
One individual, Tristan Aulds of Belle Center, Ohio, told authorities he bought Adderall from the couple for $5 per pill. Adderall is a prescription stimulant commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Prosecutors also allege Salsburey mailed dozens of packages to an address in Middleburg Heights. Authorities tested one package and found pills that contained fentanyl and methamphetamine.
A search of the couple’s home uncovered a large quantity of suspected illegal drugs, investigators said. Authorities seized 264 grams of blue pills, 938 grams of orange pills that tested positive for methamphetamine, and 19 grams of orange pills containing MDMA, also known as ecstasy. Investigators also found other suspected controlled substances and steroids inside the residence, according to the complaint filed against Rankin.
After her arrest, Rankin told investigators she believed the blue pills were benzodiazepines, commonly known as “benzos.” She also said she thought the orange pills were Adderall, despite tests showing the presence of methamphetamine. Rankin told authorities her husband began selling steroids and later expanded into selling other drugs, according to court records.
Salsburey and Rankin now face multiple federal charges. Prosecutors charged both with conspiracy to distribute or possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of substances containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. They also face charges for possession with intent to distribute mixtures containing detectable amounts of those drugs. If convicted, the charges carry severe penalties under federal law due to the involvement of fentanyl.
Salsburey worked as part of the security team assigned to protect Ramaswamy’s family, campaign spokeswoman Connie Luck confirmed in a statement. She said the private security firm, ARK Protection Group, removed Salsburey from the detail immediately after learning of the arrest.
Luck said Salsbury passed multiple background checks before his hiring. Those checks included reviews conducted by the security company, the FBI, and state authorities. She said the Ohio State University Medical Center most recently conducted a background check in September. She also said Salsburey passed pre-employment drug screenings and random drug tests during his time with the firm.
Ramaswamy and his family were “alarmed to hear this disturbing news,” Luck said. She added that they support efforts to hold those responsible accountable if the allegations are proven in court. ARK Protection Group owner Ron Gazboda said Salsburey no longer works for his firm. He said the company had no prior knowledge of any issues that could affect client safety.
“We were not aware of any concerns involving this individual before this incident,” Gazboda said in a statement.
Ramaswamy, a tech entrepreneur and former 2024 presidential candidate, lives in suburban Columbus with his wife and two young sons. The arrest comes as Ohio’s gubernatorial race continues to draw national attention. A campaign spokeswoman for Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Amy Acton declined to comment on the case. Federal court proceedings against Salsburey and Rankin remain ongoing.
