Rustom Bhagwagar Booked With Bail Set at $5 Million

A Delta Airlines First Officer was arrested on July 26 directly from the cockpit of a commercial flight at San Francisco International Airport, following a months-long investigation into serious child sex abuse allegations. The pilot was identified as 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida.

Bhagwagar was taken into custody around 9:35 pm after Delta Flight 2809 from Minneapolis touched down. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Bhagwagar faces five felony counts of oral copulation with a child under the age of 10. He is currently being held at a detention facility in Martinez, California, with bail set at $5 million.

Officials say the arrest followed a Ramey warrant issued after an investigation that began back in April. The charges stem from allegations that Bhagwagar sexually abused a young girl over a period of several years, beginning when she was six years old. Court documents claim the abuse occurred while Bhagwagar was dating the girl’s mother, who, according to the child, was sometimes present during the alleged incidents.

Though initial reports suggested the case involved child sexual abuse materials, officials later clarified that the charges were specifically related to the alleged acts of abuse. Homeland Security Investigations and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office jointly carried out the arrest, with at least 10 officers reportedly storming the cockpit after the aircraft landed.

Passengers on board captured the moment agents boarded the plane and moved swiftly to the front, instructing everyone to remain seated. The abrupt arrest raised immediate questions and sparked a flurry of social media activity.

"Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement," a Delta spokesperson commented. "We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest and the individual in question has been suspended pending an investigation."

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. As of now, the pilot remains in custody and has not entered a plea.

FMI: www.delta.com