Delta Co-Pilot's Dramatic Arrest in San Francisco: What Happened?

A Delta Air Lines co-pilot was taken into custody this weekend after landing in San Francisco, leading to many questions from passengers about the arrest. While official details on what, exactly, transpired remained relatively scarce in the immediate hours following the arrest, speculation was rampant.

Below, we take a closer look.

What happened with the Delta co-pilot in San Francisco?

As detailed in this report from the San Francisco Chronicle, the arrest came on Saturday, July 26, following a flight originating from Minneapolis. A passenger on the flight in question was quoted in the report as saying that officers from multiple agencies “stormed the cockpit” shortly after landing, with the unnamed pilot ultimately handcuffed and escorted off the plane. Brief footage surfaced that appeared to show officers exiting the plane after the dramatic arrest.

A passenger on the flight also spoke with ABC7 in San Francisco about the incident, saying that those aboard were “stunned” in the moment.

Why was the Delta co-pilot arrested in San Francisco?

“[Homeland Security Investigations] arrested a pilot at SFO on CSAM charges,” a senior Department of Homeland Security official said in an email to Complex on Monday when asked about the arrest. CSAM stands for Child Sexual Abuse Material.

Later on Monday, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office released more information. The suspect's name is Rustom Bhagwagar, and he had been under investigation since April.

What else have officials said about the arrest?

According to the Sheriff's Office, the investigation against Bhagwagar began when they received a report of sex crimes against a child. Bhagwagar, who lives in Florida, was charged with five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age. He is currently being held, in lieu of $5 million bail.

When reached for comment about the arrest on Monday, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson referred Complex to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Meanwhile, an HSI spokesperson was cited in the Chronicle report as saying that agents were helping the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office serve an arrest warrant they say is part of on “ongoing local investigation.”

Complex has also reached out to reps for Delta Air Lines, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the San Francisco International Airport, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. This story may be updated.

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