COLUMBUS, Ohio: A bodyguard employed by a private security firm and hired by Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was charged with distributing narcotics late last month.

Justin Salsburey, 43, of Bellefontaine, and his wife, Ruthann Rankin, were each charged with conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute large amounts of narcotics through the U.S. mail.

Ramaswamy expressed alarm over the incident.

ARK Protection Group, hired by the Ramaswamys, employed Salsburey for protective services, according to campaign spokesperson Connie Luck. She said the company immediately removed him from the family's security detail upon learning of the matter.

According to court records, 261 packages with fake OxyContin and other pills were sent to the couple's home in western Ohio between August 2024 and last month. Rankin, who worked as a schoolteacher in nearby Urbana, has been fired.

Salsburey is being held at the Franklin County jail in Columbus, according to the jail's website. Rankin was arrested but later released.

"Vivek's family uses a private security company and was shocked by this disturbing news," Luck said in a text message.

Luck said Salsburey had passed several background checks by the security company, the FBI, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation before being hired. The latest check was done by Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center in September.

Salsburey also passed a drug test before being hired and never failed any random drug tests, Luck said.

"Vivek and his family take safety very seriously and support holding those responsible accountable if the claims are proven," Luck said.