Sheriff’s Office Detectives Arrest Airline Pilot Suspected of Child Molestation
– By Jim Emerson
RICHMOND, CA — Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a pilot at San Francisco
International Airport on suspicion of child molestation.
Rustom Bhagwagar, a 34-year-old Florida resident, remains in custody at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond.
The detectives boarded a Delta Airlines flight arriving from Minneapolis on July 26. With assistance
from Homeland Security agents, detectives placed Bhagwagar under arrest at 9:40 p.m.
Bhagwagar was booked on suspicion of oral copulation/sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or
younger. He is suspected of committing oral copulation five times with a child under age
10.
A judge set bond at $5 million for release from custody.
A months-long investigation resulted in Bhagwagar being identified as a suspect.
The sheriff’s office initiated the investigation in April when it received a report of sex crimes against a child. Investigators
learned the suspect is an airline plane scheduled to fly into San Francisco.
Detectives obtained an Ramey warrant and waited for Bhagwagar to arrive a the airport.
Bhagwager served as co-pilot for the arriving flight. Delta Airlines has reportedly suspended the Bhagwagar from working and is
cooperating with law enforcement.
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the investigations division at the
sheriff’s office at 925-313-2600. Messages can be left at 866-846-3592 or emailed to tips@so.cccounty.us.
