Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy expressed concern this week after federal authorities charged a man who served as his family’s bodyguard with trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine via the United States Postal Service—an operation that allegedly involved over 260 drug packages delivered more than 16 months while he protected the former presidential candidate’s family.
Justin Salsburey, 43, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and his wife, Ruthann Rankin, 38, an Urbana City Schools teacher, were both charged late last month in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to WOSU Public Media and multiple sources.
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According to Connie Luck, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy’s campaign, the family uses a private security firm for protection and “was alarmed to hear this disturbing news,” as reported by The Associated Press.
“Upon being informed of this matter in recent days, the outside security firm immediately removed the individual from the security detail,” Luck stated.
Aside from expressing alarm and noting Salsburey’s immediate removal, Ramaswamy’s campaign emphasized the family’s commitment to accountability.
The Associated Press reports that Luck 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.”
The statement walks a careful line, expressing concern while noting that the charges are still allegations pending legal proceedings and emphasizing that Ramaswamy’s family relies on a contracted security firm rather than directly employing bodyguards.
The scope of the alleged drug trafficking operation was extensive. According to court papers cited by WDTN and reported across multiple sources, over 260 parcels were delivered to the couple’s Bellefontaine home between August 1, 2024, and December 22, 2025—a time when Salsburey was actively serving on Ramaswamy’s security detail.
According to the New York Post, the United States Postal Inspection Service discovered that 31 parcels with postage purchased with cryptocurrency—which the affidavit notes is frequently the case for “shipment of items purchased on darknet marketplaces”—were mailed to the couple’s home during this period.
According to the Post, the inquiry began in November 2025, when postal officials in Columbus learned from the Logan County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Office that the couple “was receiving shipments of bulk narcotics.”
The case raises significant issues about Salsburey’s ability to run a large-scale drug trafficking business while undergoing comprehensive vetting for protective security duties.
According to the Associated Press and multiple sources, Luck indicated that Salsburey passed multiple background checks conducted by the security company, the FBI, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation prior to his employment. The most current background check was performed at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center in September 2025, she stated.
Additionally, according to the AP, Luck stated that Salsburey passed a pre-employment drug test and never failed a random drug screening during his tenure.
ARK Protection Group leads Ramaswamy’s security detail, according to WOSU Public Media. According to the same source, Ramaswamy’s campaign paid ARK Protection Group $32,604 in 2025 for security services, as per campaign finance reports.
