An airline pilot who was arrested last week in California was arrested for sexually abusing his ex-girlfriend’s underage daughter for five years.
Federal agents apprehended Delta Air Lines co-pilot Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, as soon as he landed at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday. Contra Costa County police, who initiated their investigation of Bhagwagar in April, discovered he had sexually abused Jennifer Powell’s daughter, with Powell, 45, not only aware but actively involved, according to KTVU.
The alleged abuse occurred between 2018 and 2023, beginning when Powell’s daughter was six. Authorities said the victim did not live with Powell.
Powell’s arrest was announced on Tuesday. She and Bhagwagar face charges including engaging in sex acts with a child 10 years old or younger, oral copulation with a child, lewd acts on a child, and aggravated sexual assault on a child.
Bhagwagar’s bond was set at $15 million, while Powell’s bond was not specified. Delta Air Lines informed KTVU that Bhagwagar is suspended during the investigation.
[Feature Photo: Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office]
