COLUMBUS, Ohio — Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he was alarmed to learn that a man who previously worked as a bodyguard for his family is facing federal drug trafficking charges.
Federal prosecutors say Justin Salsburey, 43, of Bellefontaine, and his wife, Ruthann Rankin, were charged late last month with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute large quantities of narcotics. Authorities allege the drugs were shipped through the U.S. mail as part of an ongoing trafficking operation.
Ramaswamy’s campaign said Salsburey was not a campaign employee and had provided limited, private security services in the past. The campaign said it had no knowledge of the alleged criminal activity and cut all ties with Salsburey immediately after learning of the charges.
Court records show the case is being prosecuted in federal court. Investigators allege the couple was involved in mailing controlled substances across state lines, a crime that carries significant prison time if convicted.
Neither Salsburey nor Rankin has entered a plea publicly, and both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Defense attorneys were not immediately available for comment.
The charges surfaced as Ramaswamy continues to build his profile in Ohio’s high-profile governor’s race, though his campaign said the case has no connection to its operations or staff.
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