Martinez, California – Today, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a 24-count felony complaint in Superior Court against a Florida man related to the sexual abuse of a minor between 2018 and 2023 in Contra Costa County.
34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on a 15-million-dollar bond and will be arraigned on 24 felony charges that include: engaging in a sexual act with a child 10 years old or younger, oral copulation with a child, forceable lewd acts upon a child, and aggravated sexual assault of a child. Additionally, 45-year-old Jennifer Powell has also been charged in a related felony complaint and has been booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. The charges in both complaints carry terms of 15 years to life in state prison.
Due to the victim’s age and the nature of the allegations, the victim will not be named by the District Attorney’s Office in order to protect her identity.
Bhagwagar, who worked as a co-pilot with a commercial airline, was arrested on July 26th, around 9:40 pm at San Francisco International Airport by deputies with the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office – with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security.
Once Bhagwagar enters a plea to the charges in court, his case will proceed to a preliminary hearing of the evidence by a judge. Bahgwagar’s arraignment on the charges is scheduled for 1:35 pm in Martinez on July 30th.
District Attorney Diana Becton said, “Our office stands firmly committed to protecting children and holding those who cause harm accountable. 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.”
Case No. 01-25-02241 | The People of the State of California v. Rustom Bhagwagar
Case No. 01-25-02242 | The People of the State of California v. Jennifer Powell
Previous
