2025-07-28T23:23:28Z

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Imagine settling into your seat on a Delta Airlines flight, when suddenly, the atmosphere shifts from routine to downright shocking in a matter of minutes. Passengers on a flight from Minneapolis to San Francisco witnessed a jaw-dropping scene as a co-pilot was handcuffed and arrested right after landing at San Francisco International Airport.

Rustom Bhagwagar, a 34-year-old pilot, was apprehended on Saturday night, around 9:35 PM, as police officers and agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) stormed the cockpit. The charges against him? Five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age, a situation that has left the aviation community—and the world—reeling. Currently, he is being held on a staggering $5 million bail at the Martinez Detention Facility.

This shocking arrest stemmed from a three-month investigation that began in April, when detectives received alarming reports about his alleged sex crimes against a child. Investigators pinpointed the suspect’s role as an airline pilot and planned to make the arrest upon his arrival in San Francisco, a move that would leave passengers and crew members bewildered.

Delta Airlines has responded to this disturbing incident with a statement that emphasizes their zero-tolerance policy for unlawful behavior. They confirmed that Bhagwagar has been suspended from his flying duties and assured that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation unfolds. “Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement. We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest,” the airline emphasized.

For those on board, the drama unfolded just as they were gearing up to disembark. Witnesses described the ordeal as nothing short of traumatic. One passenger recalled how a group of approximately ten detectives and federal agents rushed onto the plane with badges and guns, pushing their way through the aisles to apprehend the co-pilot. “The flight’s other pilot had ‘no idea what just happened’ to his colleague,” said one stunned passenger, who witnessed the chaos unfold. Another described the scene as “scary” and confusing, unsure if a crime had just taken place or what was actually happening.

The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office confirms that the investigation is ongoing, leaving many questions unanswered about how a professional in such a respected position could be involved in such heinous acts.