BREAKING: Vivek Ramaswamy’s Former Bodyguard Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
August 13, 2026
Columbus, Ohio-Today, Vivek Ramaswamy’s former bodyguard and his wife pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges.
“Vivek Ramaswamy owes Ohioans answers. While he’s pushing a property tax scam that would defund the police and fire departments on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic across the state, his own bodyguard just pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges,” said Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Katie Seewer. “How can we trust Ramaswamy to protect Ohio families?”
READ: Former bodyguard for Vivek Ramaswamy, wife, plead guilty to federal drug trafficking charges
- A former bodyguard for Ohio Republican candidate for governor Vivek Ramaswamy has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Justin Salsburey, 44, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Columbus to participating in a narcotics conspiracy involving bulk amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the mail. Salsburey’s wife, 39-year-old Ruthann Rankin, pleaded guilty to drug charges last week.
- The couple each pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine and at least 40 grams of fentanyl. The crime carries a possible sentence of at least 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
- Justin Salsburey worked for Ark Protection Group, which led Ramaswamy’s security detail.
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