California, United States: Former Delta Air Lines co-pilot Rustom Bhagwagar and his former girlfriend Jennifer Spitz Powell have been convicted on all charges in a Contra Costa County child sexual-abuse case, more than a year after Bhagwagar was arrested from the cockpit of a Delta flight at San Francisco International Airport.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office announced the convictions on September 30, 2026. Powell, 46, of Walnut Creek, was found guilty on September 28, while Bhagwagar, 35, of Florida, was convicted on September 29. Each was found guilty of eight counts of oral copulation or sexual act involving a child aged 10 or younger and 12 counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under 14.
Both defendants remain in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility and face a maximum sentence of 230 years to life in state prison. Sentencing will take place at a later date. The victim’s identity has not been released because of her age.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that the abuse began when the girl was 7 years old and occurred from about October 17, 2017, through October 16, 2022, while Powell was in a relationship with Bhagwagar. Prosecutors said Powell participated with Bhagwagar in numerous acts of abuse against her daughter.
The case was prosecuted before Judge Danielle Douglas in Contra Costa Superior Court using a rare dual-jury format. Two juries heard the trial at the same time, with each jury hearing only evidence relevant to the defendant it was assigned to.
The investigation came to authorities’ attention in April 2025. Investigators identified Bhagwagar as a suspect and learned that he was working as an airline pilot and was scheduled to arrive at SFO.
On July 26, 2025, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office detectives, assisted by Homeland Security Investigations, arrested Bhagwagar shortly after the Delta flight from Minneapolis landed at San Francisco International Airport. Authorities entered the aircraft and took him into custody from the cockpit.
He was initially booked on five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10. Prosecutors later filed a 24-count felony complaint against Bhagwagar and Powell involving allegations of sexual abuse of the child.
Powell was arrested several days later. Court documents cited by prosecutors alleged that she knew her daughter was being abused by Bhagwagar and had watched or participated in some of the abuse. Both defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty during the early stages of the case.
At an August 2025 preliminary hearing, a Contra Costa County sheriff’s investigator testified about the child’s account of the alleged abuse. Prosecutors also presented evidence concerning the defendants’ relationship and the period during which the abuse was alleged to have occurred. A judge subsequently ordered both defendants to stand trial on the felony charges.
The trial concluded with separate guilty verdicts against both defendants. The District Attorney’s Office said the survivor testified in court and praised her courage while announcing the convictions.
The court will determine the sentences at future hearings. According to the District Attorney’s Office, Bhagwagar and Powell each face a maximum of 230 years to life in state prison.
