MARTINEZ – A industrial airline co-pilot is going through 24 felony costs associated to the sexual abuse of a minor following his arrest over the weekend at San Francisco Worldwide Airport, based on prosecutors.
Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, of Florida, is ready to be arraigned Wednesday on costs together with participating in a sexual act with a baby 10 years previous or youthful, oral copulation with a baby, forcible lewd acts upon a baby and aggravated sexual assault of a kid, the Contra Costa County District Legal professional’s Workplace introduced Tuesday.
Prosecutors mentioned a second individual, 45-year-old Jennifer Powell, has additionally been charged in a associated felony criticism, however they didn’t specify how she is related to Bhagwagar or the sufferer. The costs in each circumstances carry phrases of 15 years to life in state jail.
The alleged crimes occurred between 2018 and 2023 within the county, prosecutors mentioned.
Detectives opened an investigation in April after receiving a report of intercourse crimes towards a baby, based on the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Workplace. The sufferer advised them she had been abused by the co-pilot a number of occasions per week between the ages of 6 to 10 and that her mom was typically current throughout the abuse, authorities mentioned.
Authorities arrested Bhagwagar, a co-pilot with Delta Air Strains, after he touched down Saturday night at SFO. Powell was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon.
“Our office stands firmly committed to protecting children and holding those who cause harm accountable,” District Legal professional Diana Becton mentioned in an announcement Tuesday.
“Every child deserves to feel safe, protected and heard when an injustice like this occurs,” Becton mentioned. “By pursuing these cases vigorously, we not only seek justice for victims but also work to safeguard our entire community from those who would prey on children.”
In an announcement, Delta Air Strains mentioned the corporate has “zero tolerance for unlawful conduct” and vowed to totally cooperate with the investigation.
“We are appalled,” the corporate mentioned, including that the co-pilot had been suspended pending an investigation.
Bhagwagar stays in custody on the Martinez Detention Facility on a $15 million bond.
Test again for updates.
Initially Printed: July 29, 2025 at 6:42 PM PDT
