NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
San Francisco, CA, July 28, 2025: Federal and local law enforcement officers boarded a Delta Air Lines flight moments after landing at San Francisco International Airport Saturday night to arrest the plane’s co-pilot on serious child sex abuse charges.
Authorities said Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, of Florida, was taken into custody after Delta Flight 2809 arrived from Minneapolis. The arrest was carried out with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), shortly after the aircraft taxied to the gate.
Bhagwagar, born December 15, 1990, was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on five felony counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age. He is being held in lieu of $5 million bail.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Bhagwagar is a co-pilot for Delta Airlines. Officials added that the six-foot, three-inch, 220‑pound pilot is currently being housed at the West County Detention Center.
Authorities have not released details on where or when the alleged crimes took place. An inquiry has been made to determine in which part of Contra Costa County the incidents occurred. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Delta Airlines issued a brief statement following the arrest, noting that the employee has been suspended and that the company is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Image courtesy: Contra Costa Sheriff’s office
