A Delta Airlines pilot was apprehended after landing at a California airport, facing unexpected charges related to child sex crimes, according to officials.
Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, was taken into custody by a federal officer on board Delta Flight 2809 after it arrived from Minneapolis in San Francisco on Saturday night.
Bhagwagar, who worked as a co-pilot for this flight, has been accused of engaging in sexual acts with a child below the age of 10, as reported by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.
Bhagwagar, residing in Florida, has been under investigation since April when authorities began receiving reports about potential child sex offenses.
The arrest was a shock to passengers and crew, who were preparing to disembark when around ten sheriff detectives and federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) approached the aircraft, leading the co-pilot away in handcuffs.
A passenger recounted, “A group of officials with badges and firearms were walking through the aisles towards the cockpit,” while another noted that the other pilots appeared unaware of the situation, stating they “don’t know what happened.”
Amidst the chaos, federal agents were seen entering the cockpit, surprising everyone onboard.
Initially, there was some speculation regarding the motive behind the federal action, with some passengers wondering if it was related to immigration issues concerning Bhagwagar.
The HSI clarified that their role was to assist local police with executing the arrest warrant.
“This remains an ongoing investigation with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office,” explained an agency spokesperson.
Delta Airlines has yet to release any statements regarding Bhagwagar’s arrest, who is currently held on a $5 million bail.
This story is still developing, and updates will follow.
