An airline pilot who was arrested last week in California was arrested for sexually abusing his ex-girlfriend’s underage daughter for five years.
Federal agents arrested Delta Air Lines co-pilot Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, immediately upon landing at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday. Contra Costa County police, who started investigating Bhagwagar in April, not only learned he sexually abused Jennifer Powell’s daughter — but that Powell, 45, was aware and an active participant, according to KTVU.
The alleged abuse occurred between 2018 and 2023, beginning when Powell’s daughter was six. Authorities said the victim did not live with Powell.
Powell’s arrest was announced on Tuesday. She and Bhagwagar are charged with engaging in sex acts with a child 10 years or under, oral copulation with a child, lewd acts on a child, and aggravated sexual assault on a child.
Bhagwagar’s bond was set at $15 million, while Powell’s bond was not listed. Delta Air Lines confirmed to KTVU that Bhagwagar is suspended pending an investigation.
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[Feature Photo: Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office]
