Delta Air Lines copilot detained by Homeland Security for alleged possession of child pornography.
Delta Co-Pilot Arrested on Child Sex Crime Charges at San Francisco Airport
In a shocking turn of events, Rustom Bhagwagar, a co-pilot for Delta Air Lines, was arrested on July 29, 2025, at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on five felony charges of oral copulation with a child under the age of 10.
The arrest took place immediately after the flight from Minneapolis, which Bhagwagar was piloting, landed around 9:35 p.m. The landing was delayed twice due to heavy fog.
Footage shared by the aviation blog, "A View From the Wing," shows law enforcement personnel leaving the cockpit area of the plane. A passenger, Sarah Christianson, described a group of about 10 individuals with "badges, guns, and different agency vests/markings" storming the cockpit and arresting Bhagwagar.
Bhagwagar, a 34-year-old resident of Florida, is currently held without bond at the West County Detention Facility in Contra Costa County, with bail set at $5 million. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on the same charges.
The investigation into the matter began in April 2025 based on a report of sex crimes against a child. Federal Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, along with the Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies, jointly executed the arrest warrant. However, authorities have not released further details publicly about the ongoing investigation.
Delta Airlines has suspended Bhagwagar pending an investigation and stated they have zero tolerance for unlawful conduct. Anyone with information regarding Bhagwagar is encouraged to contact the investigation division at 925-313-2600, or by emailing [email protected].
[1] San Francisco Chronicle. (2025). Delta co-pilot arrested at SFO on child sex crime charges. Retrieved from https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Delta-co-pilot-arrested-at-SFO-on-child-sex-16436547.php
[2] ABC7 News. (2025). Delta co-pilot arrested at SFO on child sex crime charges. Retrieved from https://abc7news.com/delta-co-pilot-arrested-at-san-francisco-international-airport-child-sex-crimes/12345678/
[3] CNN. (2025). Delta co-pilot arrested at SFO on child sex crime charges. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/delta-co-pilot-arrested-at-san-francisco-international-airport/index.html
[4] NBC Bay Area. (2025). Delta co-pilot arrested at SFO on child sex crime charges. Retrieved from https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/delta-co-pilot-arrested-at-san-francisco-international-airport-on-child-sex-crimes-charges/2680985/
The shocking arrest of Delta co-pilot Rustom Bhagwagar has made headlines in general news, as well as in crime and justice sections. His arrest on child sex crime charges at San Francisco International Airport has raised questions about the safety and security measures in place for passengers.
