The Brief
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department said it had been investigating 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida since April on reports of "sex crimes against a child."
Sheriff's detectives and Homeland Security Investigations agents took Bhagwagar into custody after he flew into the San Francisco International Airport from Minneapolis.
Bhagwagar is being held on $5 million bail.
SAN FRANCISCO - Contra Costa County authorities on Monday publicly identified the Delta co-pilot who was arrested by federal agents over the weekend in the cockpit of a plane at San Francisco International Airport.
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department said in a prepared statement that it had been investigating 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida since April on reports of "sex crimes against a child."
Investigators learned that Bhagwagar was employed as an airline pilot and was scheduled to fly into SFO from Minneapolis on Saturday evening.
Sheriff's detectives and Homeland Security Investigations agents boarded the plane about 9:35 p.m. on Saturday and took Bhagwagar into custody.
What passengers saw
Confusion on the flight
Passengers reported seeing multiple federal agents push into the cockpit Saturday and arrest Bhagwagar shortly after the plane landed at SFO.
A passenger, who is related to a FOX Television staffer and happened to be on the flight, recounted that the federal agents told passengers to stay in their seats as they pushed through first class and into the cockpit.
In a statement to KTVU, Delta said the pilot has been suspended from the airline pending the investigation.
"Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement," a spokesperson said. "We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest and the individual in question has been suspended pending an investigation."
What the suspect is charged with
Bhagwagar is in custody on "five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age," the sheriff's department reported. He is being held on $5 million bail.
According to court documents, Bhagwagar has a last known address in Contra Costa County as Mavis Place in San Ramon.
The statement of probable cause said a female reported while Bhagwagar was dating her mother he sexually abused her from the ages of six until eleven years old. The girl alleges her mother knew about the abuse because she was present for some of the sexual acts.
An investigation into the allegations against Bhagwagar is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the department's Investigation Division at 925-313-2600.
For those looking for resources, Carol Carrillo with Executive Director of the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa said they have a resource guide and calling 211 is also a great resource. Upon hearing about the case Carrillo said this serves as a reminder that child abuse can happen in any community to any child in any family.
The Source
Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, previous KTVU reporting
Comments