"They stormed the cockpit, cuffed the co-pilot"
A US Indian pilot was arrested at San Francisco International Airport in connection with alleged sex crimes against a child.
Rustom Bhagwagar was taken into custody by armed officers moments after landing a Boeing 757-300 at the airport on the night of July 26, 2025.
The 34-year-old from Florida was co-piloting Delta Flight 2809 from Minneapolis.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, detectives began investigating a report of child sexual abuse in April 2025.
Bhagwagar was identified as a suspect and a Ramey arrest warrant was issued.
Officials learned Bhagwagar would be arriving at San Francisco International Airport on July 26. The plane, which had been delayed due to fog, touched down at approximately 9.35 pm. Officers were waiting.
The department said: “At about 9:35 pm, Sheriff’s Office detectives, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, boarded the plane to arrest the suspect.”
Passengers on board the plane described the arrest as “shocking and unnerving”.
Several eyewitnesses said multiple armed agents boarded the plane and marched straight to the cockpit.
One passenger said: “They stormed the cockpit, cuffed the co-pilot, walked him down the aisle, and ushered him off the plane through the cabin doors between first and coach.”
According to reports, Homeland Security Investigations personnel and air marshals were among the officers who boarded the flight.
A second team returned later to retrieve Bhagwagar’s personal belongings.
The other pilot, who was not arrested, said “he had no idea what just happened” when questioned by crew and passengers.
He was not given a heads-up about the arrest for fear that he would tip off Bhagwagar.
Bhagwagar was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on five counts of oral copulation with a child under the age of 10. He is being held on $5 million bail.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed it assisted with the arrest, but stressed that the case is being led by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the department, said in a statement:
“Anyone who commits depraved crimes against a child, including US citizens, will face consequences.”
Meanwhile, Delta said it was “appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest” and added that the pilot had been suspended pending an investigation.
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