File: vivek-ramaswamy-drops-200-on-texas-cosplay-but-wears-a-30-v0-pxvefi7td8mf1.jpg (30 KB)

30 KB JPG

https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/vivek-ramaswamy-alarmed-over-bodyguards-arrest-justin-salsburey-federal-drug-trafficking-charges

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's family said their now-federally charged bodyguard passed all of his background checks and drug tests.

Justin Salsburey, of Bellefontaine, was arrested late last year, accused of using the U.S. postal system for drugs. His wife, Ruthann Rankin, a teacher at Urbana City Schools, was similarly charged in federal court earlier this week.

State and federal law enforcement said they seized counterfeit pills testing positive for the presence of fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA, and other "suspected controlled substances and steroids."

Prior to his arrest, Salsburey worked for ARK Protection Group and was on Ramaswamy's security detail, per Connie Luck, spokesperson for Ramaswamy.

"Vivek’s family contracts with a private security firm for protective services and was alarmed to hear this disturbing news. Upon being informed of this matter in recent days, the outside security firm immediately removed the individual from the security detail," she said.

Luck said that Salsburey cleared multiple background checks, including FBI and BCI background checks. He also never failed a drug screening.

"Vivek and his family take matters of safety seriously and support efforts to hold these individuals accountable for these allegations if they are proven."