Co-pilot charged with sexually abusing child in East Bay

MARTINEZ A commercial airline co-pilot is facing felony charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor following his arrest over the weekend at San Francisco International Airport according to prosecutors Related Articles Antioch teens charged with murder in Oakland Man charged with murder in alcohol related hit-and-run death of Oakland pedestrian Man charged with sexually abusing East Bay girl he allegedly paid for sex Dog facing euthanization stolen from Oakland Animal Services shelter In secret phone call Delta pilot allegedly admitted to child sex abuse Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida is set to be arraigned Wednesday on charges including engaging in a sexual act with a child years old or younger oral copulation with a child forcible lewd acts upon a child and aggravated sexual assault of a child the Contra Costa County District Attorney s Office revealed Tuesday Prosecutors reported a second person -year-old Jennifer Powell has also been charged in a related felony complaint but they did not specify how she is connected to Bhagwagar or the victim The charges in both cases carry terms of years to life in state prison The alleged crimes occurred between and in the county prosecutors announced Detectives opened an study in April after receiving a analysis of sex crimes against a child according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff s Office The victim notified them she had been abused by the co-pilot several times a week between the ages of to and that her mother was often present during the abuse agents revealed Functionaries arrested Bhagwagar a co-pilot with Delta Air Lines after he touched down Saturday evening at SFO Powell was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon Our office stands firmly committed to protecting children and holding those who cause harm accountable District Attorney Diana Becton reported in a announcement Tuesday Every child deserves to feel safe protected and heard when an injustice like this occurs Becton mentioned By pursuing these cases vigorously we not only seek justice for sufferers but also work to safeguard our entire group from those who would prey on children In a declaration Delta Air Lines disclosed the company has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and vowed to fully cooperate with the assessment We are appalled the company commented adding that the co-pilot had been suspended pending an inquiry Bhagwagar remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on a million bond Check back for updates