Second person charged in connection with arrest of Delta pilot for alleged child sex crimes

SAN FRANCISCO (TCN) — A second suspect has been charged after a 34-year-old Delta Air Lines pilot from Florida was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a child.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, detectives began investigating child sex crimes allegations in April and named Rustom Bhagwagar the primary suspect. Officials secured a warrant for Bhagwagar’s arrest and discovered he was an airline pilot who was due to fly into San Francisco International Airport on the night of July 26.

Sheriff’s office detectives, along with Homeland Security personnel, boarded the plane at around 9:35 p.m. to apprehend Bhagwagar. He was reportedly taken into custody from the cockpit shortly after arrival and booked into the Contra Costa County Jail.

On July 29, the sheriff’s office announced the arrest of a second suspect, 45-year-old Jennifer Powell.

According to court documents obtained by KRON-TV, Powell and Bhagwagar both face 24 counts, including oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years or younger, forcible lewd acts on a child, and aggravated sexual assault of a child. They both potentially face 15 years to life in prison if convicted.

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