Delta Pilot and Ex-Girlfriend Appear in Court on Child Sex Abuse Charges, Could Both Face Life in Prison By Liam Quinn

A Delta co-pilot and his ex-girlfriend, who are accused of sexually abusing a child, appeared in court in California.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office charged Rustom Bhagwagar and Jennifer Powell each with more than a dozen felonies, including counts of engaging in a sexual act with a child 10 years old or younger, oral copulation with a child, forcible lewd acts upon a child, and aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Bhagwagar, 34, was arrested by Contra Costa and federal authorities in a plane cockpit shortly after his flight, which had come from Minnesota, landed in San Francisco on July 26.

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Both Powell and Bhagwagar could face from 15 years to life in prison if convicted.

KTVU obtained a probable cause statement alleging that Bhagwagar and Powell, who is the guardian of the alleged victim, were previously in a relationship.

Citing the probable cause statement, KTVU reported that Powell is accused of having known about and occasionally having participated in the alleged abuse of the child, which authorities said started when the alleged victim was 6 and ended when she was 11.

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The alleged abuses ranged from 2018 to 2023, according to court records.

KTVU reported that both Bhagwagar and Powell appeared in court but did not enter pleas. A judge set their bail at $15 million each.

“Our office stands firmly committed to protecting children and holding those who cause harm accountable,” District Attorney Diana Becton previously said in a statement. “Every child deserves to feel safe, protected, and heard when an injustice like this occurs. By pursuing these cases vigorously, we not only seek justice for victims but also work to safeguard our entire community from those who would prey on children.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.