A Delta Air Lines pilot was arrested at San Francisco International Airport on July 26 on multiple child sexual assault charges, authorities confirmed.
Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, was taken into custody after Delta Flight 2809 landed around 9:35 p.m., following a delay caused by heavy fog. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, he has been charged with five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years old.
The arrest follows an ongoing investigation that began in April after a report of alleged sex crimes against a child. County jail records show Bhagwagar is being held on $5 million bail.
As of Monday, July 28, it was not confirmed whether Bhagwagar had retained legal counsel, and no initial court date had been scheduled.
Videos shared online and published by travel outlet View from the Wing show officers walking down the aisle of the aircraft after it arrived in San Francisco. Some officers appeared to be in plainclothes with visible badges.
Delta Air Lines released a statement saying Bhagwagar has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation and confirmed the airline is cooperating fully with law enforcement.
“We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest,” the statement read.
The nature of the arrest remained unclear until the sheriff’s office released its statement. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which assisted in the arrest, confirmed that the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office is leading the case.
“There was an arrest warrant. HSI was assisting,” said Hira Zhahir, a public affairs officer for the agency.
Bhagwagar’s arrest has drawn national attention, especially as it occurred immediately after landing a commercial flight. The investigation remains ongoing.
UPDATE: The Delta co-pilot arrested for child s*x crimes after landing at San Francisco Airport has been identified
Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, was arrested by Contra Costa County detectives after landing at San Francisco International Airport
He had just arrived on Delta Flight 2809… pic.twitter.com/bhBJH9wyYv
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) July 28, 2025