The Delta pilot arrested on board his plane just after it landed in San Francisco Saturday night has been identified by authorities as 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar from Florida. Bhagwagar was arrested by Contra Costa Sheriff’s detectives aided by Homeland Security agents on five counts of (sexual abuse) of a child under 10.
In a statement to the media, Delta said the pilot has been suspended, “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 and the individual in question has been suspended pending an investigation.”
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Excerpt from previous TGP report:
Dramatic video footage surfacing online appears to show approximately 10 federal law enforcement officers, reportedly including Homeland Security Investigations agents and air marshals, storming the cockpit of Delta Air Lines Flight 2809 moments after the Boeing 757–300 landed at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The flight had arrived from Minneapolis, completing a delayed second landing approach due to heavy fog, touching down around 9:35 p.m. local time on Saturday evening.
The footage — shared on the aviation blog View from the Wing — shows agents entering the cockpit, handcuffing a co‑pilot, then escorting him down the aisle and removing him from the aircraft.
BREAKING: A Delta pilot has been ARRESTED at San Francisco International on charges of Child S-xuaI Abuse Material, per Fox
Witnesses say at least TEN DHS agents bordered the plane as soon as it parked at the gate and took the pilot into custody.
GREAT WORK, DHS! pic.twitter.com/GiHkwf56e3
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 27, 2025
Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office press release via Facebook:
Suspect Arrested at SFO
Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division have been conducting an investigation since April 2025 after receiving a report of sex crimes against a child. A Ramey arrest warrant was later secured for the suspect.
Through the investigation, it was learned that the suspect was an airline pilot and that he was due to fly into San Francisco International Airport on the evening of Saturday, July 26, 2025.
At about 9:35 PM, Sheriff’s Office detectives, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, boarded the plane to arrest the suspect who is identified as 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age. He is being held in lieu of $5 million bail.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: [email protected] or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
California’s “Ramey Warrant” explanation via the Bulldog law firm (excerpt):
To obtain a Ramey Warrant, law enforcement submits a declaration of probable cause to a judge, outlining the evidence suggesting the suspect’s involvement in a crime. Once the judge finds the evidence sufficient, they will issue the warrant, allowing for the suspect’s arrest.
This process is quicker than the traditional method, where law enforcement waits for the district attorney to file charges before seeking an arrest warrant. The speed of a Ramey Warrant is particularly crucial in urgent situations, such as when there is a risk that the suspect may flee or destroy evidence.
…Once a Ramey Warrant is issued, law enforcement will locate and arrest the suspect, who must be brought before a judge within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays). The suspect must be released if the district attorney does not file formal charges within this period.
Issuing a Ramey Warrant does not guarantee criminal charges. The district attorney must review the evidence and decide whether to file charges. If charges are not filed, the suspect is released, and the arrest may not lead to a conviction. Navigating the legal process after a criminal arrest in California is crucial to understanding your rights and options during this time.
Read the full article here