{"id":2531842,"date":"2026-01-09T07:48:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T12:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bodyguard-assigned-to-vivek-ramaswamy-family-charged-with-drug-trafficking\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T07:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T12:52:15","slug":"bodyguard-assigned-to-vivek-ramaswamy-family-charged-with-drug-trafficking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bodyguard-assigned-to-vivek-ramaswamy-family-charged-with-drug-trafficking\/","title":{"rendered":"Bodyguard Assigned to Vivek Ramaswamy Family Charged with Drug Trafficking"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbodyguard-assigned-to-vivek-ramaswamy-family-charged-with-drug-trafficking%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2531842&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Federal prosecutors charged Justin Salsburey, a bodyguard assigned to protect the family of Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, adn his wife, Urbana schoolteacher Ruthann Rankin, with major drug-trafficking offenses after investigators uncovered a months-long pipeline of suspected narcotics tied to 261 mailed parcels between August 2024 and December 2025. An intercepted package contained 119 counterfeit OxyContin pills that tested positive for fentanyl; agents also witnessed porch handoffs and later <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/as-illicit-vapes-flood-the-country-authorities-ramp-up-enforcement\/\" title=\"As illicit vapes flood the country, authorities ramp up enforcement\">seized large quantities<\/a> at the couple&#8217;s home (including roughly 264 g of blue pills, 938 g of orange methamphetamine pills, and other suspected drugs and steroids). Prosecutors say additional shipments went to an address in Middleburg Heights, and both <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >defendants face federal counts alleging conspiracy<\/a> or intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl- and methamphetamine-containing substances, plus possession with intent to distribute. Rankin told investigators she believed some pills were benzodiazepines or Adderall and said Salsburey initially sold steroids before expanding; ARK Protection Group removed Salsburey from the ramaswamy detail after the arrest and said he had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-again-introduce-legislation-for-universal-background-checks-on-gun-purchases-say-they-have-opportunity-to-act\/\" title=\"Democrats Again Introduce Legislation For Universal Background Checks On Gun Purchases, Say They Have \u2018Opportunity to Act\u2019\">passed background checks<\/a> and drug tests. Ramaswamy&#8217;s campaign said the family takes safety seriously and supports holding those responsible accountable.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Federal prosecutors charged a bodyguard assigned to protect the family of Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy with major drug-trafficking offenses.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities arrested Justin Salsburey, 43, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and his wife, Urbana schoolteacher Ruthann Rankin, on Dec. 30, <a href=\"https:\/\/abc3340.com\/news\/nation-world\/ohio-teacher-husband-charged-in-alleged-drug-trafficking-scheme-using-mail-justin-salsburey-ruthann-rankin-urbana-city-schools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">according<\/a> to local reporting by WSYX-TV. Prosecutors say investigators uncovered a months-long pipeline of suspected narcotics shipments and street-level distribution tied to 261 parcels mailed between August 2024 and December 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Investigators say one intercepted package contained 119 blue counterfeit OxyContin pills that tested positive for fentanyl. After allowing a subsequent parcel to be delivered, agents observed Salsburey and Rankin place items on their porch that multiple people later collected. One recipient told authorities he purchased Adderall from the couple for $5 per pill.<\/p>\n<p>Ramaswamy&rsquo;s campaign spokeswoman Connie Luck said Ramaswamy and his family take safety seriously.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Vivek and his family take matters of safety seriously and support efforts to hold these individuals accountable for these allegations if they are proven,&rdquo; Luck said, CW Columbus reported.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadScript(src) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=src; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.async=true; \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element \t\t\t\t\t\tlet targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);  \t\t\t\t\t\tif (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\treturn paragraphs[targetIndex - x]; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver \t\t\t\t\tfunction observeElement(element) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!element) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadScript(\"https:\/\/embed.sendtonews.com\/player3\/embedcode.js?fk=s28Az7AY\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #stnvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#stnvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Ramaswamy&rsquo;s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation&rsquo;s request for comment.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors allege Salsburey mailed dozens of additional packages to an address in Middleburg Heights, including shipments containing pills that tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine. A search of the couple&rsquo;s home uncovered large quantities of suspected drugs: 264 grams of blue pills, 938 grams of orange methamphetamine pills, and 19 grams of orange MDMA pills, along with other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-years-after-kenosha-riots-why-no-august-23-committee-to-investigate-the-big-lie-that-stoked-the-flames\/\" title=\"Two Years After Kenosha Riots, Why No August 23 Committee To Investigate The Big Lie That Stoked The Flames?\">suspected controlled substances<\/a> and steroids.<\/p>\n<p>After her arrest, Rankin told investigators she believed the blue pills were benzodiazepines and the orange pills were Adderall. She said her husband initially sold steroids and later expanded into other drugs. Federal court records show both defendants face charges of conspiracy to distribute &mdash; or intent to distribute &mdash; 40 grams or more of substances containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as possession with intent to distribute mixtures containing those drugs.<\/p>\n<p>The private firm that employed him, ARK Protection Group, removed Salsburey from the detail immediately after learning of the arrest. The firm said Salsburey cleared multiple background checks before his hiring, including federal and state screenings and a recent review conducted by Ohio State University Medical Center last September. The company said he passed pre-employment drug testing and random screenings while on the job.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p><em>All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/union-membership-plummets-to-record-low\/\" title=\"Union Membership Plummets to Record Low\">legitimate news publisher<\/a> that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter&rsquo;s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/mailto:licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org\">licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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