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The Delta Air Line pilot who was taken into custody straight from the plane on charges of child sexual assault in Contra Costa County, California has been charged with 24 felony counts on Tuesday, according to the Norther California authorities.Indian-origin Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, was taken into custody by a group of about 10 law enforcement officers who boarded Delta Flight 2809 from Minneapolis just after it landed at 9.35 pm, handcuffing him in front of stunned passengers and crew.Witnesses described seeing officers with “badges, guns and different agency vests/markings” walk down the aisle and into the cockpit, where they handcuffed the pilot and escorted him off the plane, as reported by The New York Times.The charges against Bhagwagar include engaging in sexual acts with a child under the age of 10, aggravated sexual assault of a child, forcible lewd acts upon a child, and oral copulation with a child. The alleged abuse occurred in Contra Costa County, according to the district attorney’s office.Jennifer Powell, 45, has also been charged with 24 counts in a related felony complaint. Both Bhagwagar and Powell are being held at the Martinez detention facility. Bhagwagar’s bail has been set at $15 million.The charges in both cases carry possible prison terms of 15 years to life. Bhagwagar is expected to be arraigned Wednesday in Martinez, California.“Our office stands firmly committed to protecting children and holding those who cause harm accountable,” said Contra Costa county district attorney Diana Becton in a statement. “Every child deserves to feel safe, protected and heard when an injustice like this occurs.”According to the Contra Costa county sheriff’s office, detectives had been investigating Bhagwagar since April. His arrest was made with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations after a warrant was issued.A short video published by aviation blog View From the Wing shows officers with badges exiting the plane’s cockpit.Delta Air Lines released a statement saying it was “appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest” and confirmed that Bhagwagar had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. “Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct,” the airline said.
