The ex-girlfriend of a Delta Airlines pilot hauled off a plane to be charged with child sex crimes has also been arrested — accused of joining in the pilot’s alleged abuse of her daughter, starting when the girl was just 6, according to charging documents.
Jennifer Powell, 45, was charged Tuesday with allegedly joining her ex, Rustom Bhagawar, in sexually abusing her daughter — who did not live with her — from when the girl was 6 until she was 11, according to a probable cause statement obtained by KTVU.
The mom not only knew her daughter was being abused, she watched — and even participated, according to the documents.
Rustom Bhagwagar, 34, was cuffed by federal officers Saturday night onboard Delta Flight 2809. Contra Costa SheriffBhagawar, 34, was detained in shocking scenes Saturday when federal agents swarmed his plane when it landed in San Francisco, removing him from the cockpit in handcuffs.
Officials revealed that the pilot faces 24 felony counts of engaging in sex acts with a child age 10 or under, as well as oral copulation, lewd acts and aggravated sexual assault, all on a child.
Powell is also facing a slew of child sexual abuse charges — and both she and her pilot ex face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the report said.
Bhagwagar, of Florida, had been under investigation since April, when the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about child sex crimes.
Delta confirmed that Bhagwagar has been suspended from the airline pending the investigation.
“Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement,” a spokesperson told KTVU. “We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest and the individual in question has been suspended pending an investigation.”
Bhagwagar was detained after the flight touched down in San Francisco from Minneapolis. X
Federal agents were seen entering the cockpit to make the arrest, shocking crew and passengers. XBhagwagar and Powell are both being held at the Martinez Detention Center on a $15 million bond. Bhagwagar is scheduled to be arraigned on July 30.
“Our office stands firmly committed to protecting children and holding those who cause harm accountable,” District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement. “Every child deserves to feel safe, protected, and heard when an injustice like this occurs.”
