Sinister sextortion scheme targeting 'potentially several hundred' victims is exposed — along with shocking suspect



A diabolical sextortion scheme targeting "potentially several hundred" victims has been exposed, according to law enforcement in New York.

The months-long investigation began in February and focused on the Fieldstone Middle School, which is located in the Haverstraw hamlet of Thiells — just a little over 10 miles north of the New Jersey border and about an hour north of Yonkers.

'Please encourage your children to come forward because there is certainly no shame in coming forward and bringing this to a trusted adult, so please let us know, let a trusted adult know.'

Law enforcement said several alleged victims came forward to report the appalling allegations to school administrators.

The Stony Point Police Department said in a statement, "The investigation was launched after victims at Fieldstone Middle School reported to their school resource officer and school administrators that they were being coerced online."

Police said "approximately six victims have come forward" but noted that investigators "have reason to believe there are potentially several hundred additional victims who may not yet have reported their experiences."

Police said the alleged victims — males under the age of 16 — communicated with someone online who claimed to be a female, according to the New York Post.

"They were requested for pictures, videos of themselves, to be sent, and then they were requested that if they didn't [send] more that the pictures and videos would be sent to their friend groups," Det. Andrew Kryger of the Stony Point Police Department told WABC-TV.

What's more, the news outlet reported that the "female" is actually a male who demanded payment in the form of gift cards for "typically less than $100."

RELATED: Grief-stricken father launches personal crusade to help FBI find suspects whose sextortion plot led to son's suicide

The alleged suspect of the sinister sextortion scam was out of the country when authorities identified him, but he recently returned to the U.S. — to attend Fieldstone Middle School in the fall, WABC reported.

The suspect — who was not identified because he's underage — was charged with use of a child in a sexual performance, promoting a sexual performance by a child, and possessing a sexual performance by a child. All the charges are felonies.

"This case highlights both the serious dangers our children face online and the extraordinary bravery of students who came forward," the Stony Point Police Department stated. "This crime is extremely serious and involves the victimization of students within our community."

The Stony Point Police Department added that "police officials stress that sextortion is not only a local issue, but a global problem fueled by social media. Many parents may be unaware of the extent of these dangers. It is essential to create safe, judgment-free environments where children feel comfortable reporting concerns."

The Stony Point Police Department, the Haverstraw Police Department, and the North Rockland School District plan to host a forum to provide parents and students with "resources on sextortion awareness."

North Rockland Central School District Superintendent Kris Felicello advised parents, "Please encourage your children to come forward because there is certainly no shame in coming forward and bringing this to a trusted adult, so please let us know, let a trusted adult know."

Police are urging anyone with information on this case to contact Det. Kryger at 845-786-2422.

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Florida nurse learns fate after husband caught her having sex with stepson; boy's mom blasts 'incestuous pedophile'



A former Florida nurse learned her fate after she pleaded "no contest" to a child sex crime, in which she sexually assaulted her stepson.

As Blaze News previously reported, 35-year-old Alexis Von Yates was accused of engaging in sexual activities with a minor.

'Ms. Yates told victim that she was 'horny.''

Von Yates originally was charged with sexual battery on a person 12 to 18 years of age by a person in familial custody, a first-degree felony that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10,000 fine.

However, Von Yates agreed last month to a plea deal on a lesser charge of lewd and lascivious battery on a child between the ages of 12 and 16.

On Tuesday, Von Yates was sentenced to serve two years in state prison, followed by two years of community control and 10 years of sex offender probation, according to the New York Post. Von Yates also is required to complete 200 hours of community service and pay fines and court costs. The judge ordered her to have no contact with the victim.

Florida Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Timothy McCourt noted that the victim and his mother said they were "one hundred percent in agreement with the sentencing," according to the New York Post.

However, the mother of the boy blasted Von Yates as an "incestuous pedophile” who groomed her son.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim's mom claimed Von Yates showed no remorse for her "despicable actions" and slammed her a "coward," Fox News reported.

RELATED: She once was school 'counselor of the year.' Now she's accused of sexually assaulting student 100+ times, court docs say.

Photo by Pla2na via iStock / Getty Images Plus

Von Yates is accused of sexually abusing the boy on July 26, 2024.

"His father worked late hours as a lineman," the arrest affidavit reads. "The child victim was hanging out with his stepmother while she was taking care of his younger siblings. ... Around 11 p.m., the two of them began relaxing on the couch, 'hitting' a THC cartridge together while playing a video game. Several hours later ... they decided to watch a movie."

Von Yates and her stepson both agreed that the movie was "boring," the affidavit from the Marion County Sheriff's Office states.

"Ms. Yates told victim that she was 'horny,'" the affidavit notes. "Victim laid on top of Ms. Yates. Ms. Yates allowed victim to kiss Ms. Yates' neck, pull down Ms. Yates' shorts and underwear to her ankles."

Von Yates and the victim engaged in sexual acts, including sexual intercourse, according the affidavit, which also noted that Von Yates' husband "walked in" on his wife sexually abusing his 15-year-old son.

Once the father witnessed his son running to the bathroom and noticed that his wife was unclothed, he called Von Yates a "child predator," removed his son from the house, and dropped him off at the boy's grandparents' home, the affidavit states.

The Florida Department of Health suspended Von Yates' nursing license shortly after her arrest on Nov. 6, 2024.

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Florida nurse snags plea deal after husband allegedly 'walked in' on her having sex with underage stepson



A Florida nurse has reportedly taken a plea deal to reduce her prison sentence in the case of her husband allegedly walking in on her sexually abusing her underage stepson.

According to a Marion County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit previously obtained by People magazine, 34-year-old Alexis Von Yates is accused of engaging in sexual activities with an underage boy on July 30, 2024.

Yates' husband reportedly 'walked in' on his wife sexually abusing his 15-year-old son.

Yates — of Ocala — was arrested Nov. 6, 2024.

Yates was initially charged with sexual battery on a person 12 to 18 years of age by a person in familial custody.

Yates' nursing license was immediately suspended following her arrest.

Last Thursday, Yates entered a no-contest plea to a lesser charge of lewd and lascivious battery, according to WCJB-TV.

Court TV reported, "Prosecutors said the victim's family supported the negotiated plea to avoid requiring the 15-year-old victim to return to Florida to testify, which they feared would disrupt his ongoing mental health treatment."

RELATED: She once was school 'counselor of the year.' Now she's accused of sexually assaulting student 100+ times, court docs say.

Photo by zoka74 via iStock / Getty Images Plus

Law & Crime reported in April that the alleged victim was on vacation and visiting his father for the summer when the purported sexual acts occurred.

"His father worked late hours as a lineman," Yates' arrest affidavit states. "The child victim was hanging out with his stepmother while she was taking care of his younger siblings. ... Around 11 p.m., the two of them began relaxing on the couch, 'hitting' a THC cartridge together while playing a video game. Several hours later ... they decided to watch a movie."

Yates and the minor both agreed that the movie was "boring," the affidavit reads.

"Ms. Yates told victim that she was 'horny,'" the Florida Department of Health claimed. "Victim laid on top of Ms. Yates. Ms. Yates allowed victim to kiss Ms. Yates' neck, pull down Ms. Yates' shorts and underwear to her ankles."

Yates and the alleged victim reportedly engaged in sexual acts, including intercourse, according to court documents.

Yates' husband reportedly "walked in" on his wife sexually abusing his 15-year-old son.

"Nurses are placed in a position of trust," the DOH said. "Therefore, it is imperative that they demonstrate good judgment and good moral character. Ms. Yates' decision to engage in sexual activity with a minor child and/or her decision to allow a child to engage her in oral and penetrative sex indicates that she lacks the good judgment and moral character necessary to be a registered nurse."

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Yates will serve two years in the Department of Corrections, followed by two years of community control as well as 10 years of sex offender probation, according to Court TV.

Yates must also complete 200 hours of community service, plus pay fines and court costs.

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Male HS choral director arrested on sex trafficking charges, accused of meeting underage student through LGBTQ dating app



A Massachusetts music teacher is accused of sex trafficking by paying a minor — whom he met through an LGBTQ dating app — for sex acts.

The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office said in a press release, "A Brockton High School instructor has been arraigned on human trafficking charges after an investigation by the Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced."

'We are deeply troubled by the allegations in this case.'

Matthew Cunningham, 35, was arrested at his Brockton home around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday by members of the Massachusetts State Police Special Services Section High Risk Victim Squad and Brockton Police.

Cunningham pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual conduct for a fee and trafficking of a person for sexual servitude during his arraignment in Brockton District Court.

Cunningham's bail was set at $25,000.

However, the judge set specific conditions if he is released on bail.

The Enterprise reported that bail conditions include "home confinement with GPS monitoring, staying away from and not contacting the victim, staying away from Brockton High School, refraining from using social media, relinquishing his passport, and staying in Massachusetts."

The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office said the child sex crime charges stem from months-long investigations by Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police.

"The allegations are that on April 27, 2025, Cunningham met up with an underage male victim, performed a sexual act on the victim, and then paid the victim on an app," the DA's office stated. "App administrators contacted the FBI after flagging the monetary transaction between an adult and a minor."

RELATED: Florida teacher accused of 'disturbing' sexual misconduct against student — including in classroom just hours before arrest

Assistant District Attorney Jason Blanchette claimed Cunningham asked the alleged victim if he was willing to engage in sex acts for money through Grindr — a dating app geared toward the LGBTQ+ community, the Enterprise reported.

More from the outlet:

After connecting on the app, Cunningham allegedly picked up the victim and drove him to his house, where he paid the victim for sex acts, Blanchette said. [...]

After the encounter, the prosecution said the victim recognized Cunningham as the choral director at his school and grew uncomfortable with the encounter.

Brendan Kelly — Cunningham's court-appointed defense attorney — said his client was not aware that the alleged victim was under 18 years old or that he was a student at Brockton High School.

According to Grindr's community guidelines, users on the dating app must be at least 18 years old.

Brockton Public Schools said Cunningham was placed on paid administrative leave as soon as school officials found out about the allegations.

"Brockton Public Schools learned today of the arrest of Brockton High School teacher Matthew Cunningham, and he was immediately placed on paid administrative leave," Brockton Public Schools said in a statement released on Tuesday, according to CBS News. "We are deeply troubled by the allegations in this case."

The ongoing investigation will include a forensic examination of Cunningham’s cell phone, according to the district attorney's office.

Cunningham is scheduled for a Sept. 18 court appearance.

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She once was school 'counselor of the year.' Now she's accused of sexually assaulting student 100+ times, court docs say.



A former school "counselor of the year" in Colorado now faces accusations of sexually assaulting a student over 100 times — and threatening to kill herself if the victim reported the sexual abuse, authorities said.

On Tuesday, the city of Fort Collins released a statement saying its police department got a tip in July 2025 that a former Poudre School District counselor had an inappropriate relationship with a student while employed with the district.

'These allegations are deeply troubling.'

Following an investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 40-year-old Cassandra Poncelow, who was a district employee between 2007 and 2024.

"The investigation revealed that Poncelow had an inappropriate relationship with a student for several years and sexually assaulted the student on multiple occasions off campus," the statement reads. "When the crimes occurred, the victim was a juvenile; however, the victim is now an adult." KCNC-TV reported that the victim was a girl.

According to court documents obtained by KUSA-TV, the student met Poncelow at her high school counseling office.

Citing the arrest affidavit, KUSA reported that Poncelow hosted "sleepovers" at her home with the alleged victim.

The guidance counselor also had "unsupervised" visits with the alleged victim in Poncelow's office at school, according to court documents.

RELATED: Ex-middle school teacher slapped with felony charges over accusations of shocking student sex scandal

The accusations reportedly were first sent to Safe2Tell, a resource for students, parents, school staff, and community members to anonymously report "concerns regarding their safety or the safety of others."

The Colorado Department of Human Services in April 2023 allegedly received a report of a guidance counselor sexually assaulting a student. The alleged sexual abuse began a "few years" before DHS was tipped off, according to KUSA.

However, Poncelow stayed on as a district guidance counselor until she resigned Sept. 6, 2024.

KUSA reported, "When asked whether Poncelow was disciplined or put on leave related to the Safe2Tell report or the DHS report in April 2024, the district said they could not share personnel matters 'due to state and federal privacy laws.'"

The school district informed KUSA that Poncelow worked at one elementary school, three middle schools, three high schools, and one career tech center.

In April 2023, police questioned the alleged victim after the accusations surfaced, and the alleged victim was "surprised" by the accusations and denied having a sexual relationship with Poncelow, according to court documents.

The criminal case was closed due to insufficient evidence to support the allegations, according to law enforcement.

However, the case was reopened last month when the alleged victim came forward to authorities, claimed to have been sexually assaulted more than 100 times, and said the sexual assaults occurred at Poncelow's home, according to the affidavit.

The alleged victim added to police that Poncelow threatened self-harm if the student told anyone about their relationship.

According to the arrest report, Poncelow told the alleged victim, "If you tell anyone, I'll kill myself."

Poncelow allegedly felt shame about the alleged sexual relationship, police said.

According to the arrest report obtained by KCNC, the guidance counselor allegedly told the student, "Our physical and sexual relationship was not OK. Lack of boundary, not OK. The power difference, not OK. It was wrong."

The Fort Collins Police Services stated, "Detectives are concerned there may be more victims or witnesses of additional criminal behavior related to Poncelow."

RELATED: School employee makes shocking confession to police about sexually abusing student: Court docs

According to jail records, Poncelow was booked into the Larimer County Jail. She was charged with felony counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, criminal attempt to commit sexual exploitation of children, aggravated sexual assault on a client by a psychotherapist, and sexual assault.

"We are actively working to support the victim and ensure accountability, knowing that cases like this deeply affect not only those directly involved but the entire community. Our priority remains centered on the victim's well-being and the thoroughness of this investigation," said Lieutenant Sara Lynd, head of the Fort Collins Police Services Crimes Against Persons Unit.

According to the Denver Gazette, Poudre Schools said the allegations are "deeply troubling."

"Poudre School District is aware that Cassandra Poncelow, a former employee in the district, was arrested following a Fort Collins Police Services investigation into allegations involving a minor," the statement reads. "These allegations are deeply troubling."

The statement adds that "the district has fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation. The safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority."

The statement concluded, "Because this is an active investigation, and to protect the privacy of those involved, we are unable to share additional details."

Poncelow was honored as Colorado’s 2016 "counselor of the year" by the Colorado School Counseling Association and was a finalist for the American School Counselor of the Year award in 2018, according to the Coloradoan.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact Detective Cole Giandomenico at 970-221-6558, or Larimer County Crime Stoppers at 970-221-6868.

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Couple arrested for committing 'lewd and lascivious' sex acts during flight with children watching, police say



A Connecticut couple was arrested after they reportedly performed sex acts in front of children during a flight to Florida from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to authorities.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on July 19, a woman with two children allegedly approached a JetBlue flight attendant. The mother told the flight crew member that there were two passengers engaging in sexual activity in their seats, according to the probable cause affidavits obtained by People magazine. The woman reportedly stressed that her children witnessed the alleged sex acts.

'This behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by JetBlue.'

"After he was informed of the acts, the flight attendant walked to Ms. Reilly's seating area and witnessed her making up-and-down movements with her head while she was face down on Mr. Arnold's lap," the affidavits state.

The affidavits claim that the two children witnessed Reilly "performing oral sex and jerking off Mr. Arnold."

RELATED: Teen arrested after allegedly saying 7 words that led to airplane evacuation. But mom says it was just a joke.

Approximately an hour later, the JetBlue airplane landed at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Upon touching down at the airport, 42-year-old Christopher D. Arnold and 43-year-old Trista L. Reilly were arrested by officers with the airport police. The suspects were each charged with two felony counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition, according to information from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

The couple — from Danbury, Connecticut — was released from custody on their own recognizance on July 21, according to Sarasota County Sheriff's Office jail records.

JetBlue told People magazine, "This behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by JetBlue."

"Immediately upon receiving the report, our crew members acted swiftly to engage JetBlue's security team and law enforcement," JetBlue said in a statement. "We are fully cooperating with the investigation, and these customers are no longer welcome to fly JetBlue."

According to arrest records from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Arnold and Reilly are scheduled to be arraigned on August 15. There is no clear information on whether they've retained legal representation.

RELATED: 'My laptop is a bomb': Florida man's alleged mid-flight bomb threat forces emergency landing — now the FBI is involved

Photo by Douglas Rissing via iStock / Getty Images

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Married ex-teacher escapes jail sentence after accused of sharing explicit videos with student, inviting teen to have sex



A former Missouri teacher dodged a jail sentence regarding accusations of being involved in a teacher sex scandal with a student, according to reports.

As Blaze News reported in October 2023, a 25-year-old teacher was accused of sharing explicit photos and videos with a 16-year-old student. The teacher also reportedly invited the teen to have sex with her at her home while her husband was away.

'The victim said Laughlin also tried to solicit sex from the victim.'

On Oct. 19, 2023, the Maries County Sheriff's Office purportedly opened an investigation into Rikki Lynn Laughlin — a then-special education teacher at St. James High School, located about 95 miles southwest of St. Louis. The Maries County Sheriff's Office allegedly received a tip that a St. James High School teacher was having sexual contact with a student.

According to a probable cause statement, the alleged victim claimed that Laughlin first contacted him on the Snapchat social media app.

The boy informed investigators that he had kissed the teacher in a classroom, according to court docs.

KSDK-TV previously reported, "The victim said the conversations escalated quickly and Laughlin sent him nude photos and videos of herself. He said she also requested he send nude photos of himself, which he did on two occasions. The victim said Laughlin also tried to solicit sex from the victim."

Court documents said the alleged victim informed authorities that Laughlin invited him to her home when her husband was away on Oct. 14. However, the teen formulated excuses to not appear at Laughlin's home because he did not feel comfortable, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Court documents stated that Laughlin urged the teen to delete all photos and videos she sent him because she was afraid of going to jail.

RELATED: Ex-Christian school teacher accused of sexually assaulting female student, rearrested after allegedly contacting another teen

RELATED: Ex-teacher accused of grooming, sexually abusing teen boy; mother rips suspect as 'sick, twisted, calculating sex offender'

Laughlin was arrested and initially charged with possession of child pornography, tampering with a victim, second-degree statutory rape, sexual exploitation of a minor, tampering with physical evidence, furnishing pornographic material to a minor, and second-degree child sex trafficking.

Laughlin reportedly got a sweetheart deal to avoid a jail sentence.

KRCG-TV reported this week that Laughlin pleaded guilty on July 24 to endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk in the first degree, noting that it was her first offense and there was no sexual contact.

Laughlin was sentenced to five years of probation.

RELATED: Married ex-teacher hit with 52 additional child sex charges related to multiple alleged trysts with 15-year-old male student

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Ex-girlfriend of arrested Delta pilot allegedly observed, participated in sexual abuse of her young daughter: Court docs



The ex-girlfriend of a Delta Air Lines pilot — who was recently arrested on child sex abuse charges after touching down in California on a commercial airliner — has also been charged in the disturbing case that allegedly involves her young daughter, according to officials.

As Blaze News reported on Tuesday, federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations reportedly stormed the cockpit of a Delta Air Lines plane and dragged the co-pilot off the commercial airliner that landed at San Francisco International Airport on July 26.

Court documents said the child sex abuse began when the alleged victim was just 6 years old and continued until she was 11.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, "Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division have been conducting an investigation since April 2025 after receiving a report of sex crimes against a child."

The pilot — 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida — was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Bhagwagar was initially charged with five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age.

However, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office levied a total of 24 felony counts against Bhagwagar on Wednesday. The charges 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.

A judge raised Bhagwagar's bail from $5 million to $15 million.

'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.'

Law enforcement recently revealed that Bhagwagar's ex-girlfriend is also accused of being involved with the sickening allegations of child sex abuse.

The Contra Costa Sheriff's Office said in a statement that 45-year-old Jennifer Powell was arrested on Wednesday.

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office arrested Powell in "connection with an ongoing investigation into sex crimes against a child."

Police said Powell is the mother of the alleged child sex abuse victim.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office said Powell was "charged in a related felony complaint and has been booked into the Martinez Detention Facility."

The DA noted that both Powell and Bhagwagar face sentences of 15 years to life in state prison.

RELATED: Ex-Christian school teacher accused of sexually assaulting female student, rearrested after allegedly contacting another teen

RELATED: Father allegedly catches therapist in autistic son's bedroom closet with boy's pants down: DA

KTVU-TV obtained a probable cause statement, which allegedly stated that Powell was aware that her young daughter was being sexually abused by her then-boyfriend, and that she observed and even participated in the alleged sexual crimes of her child.

Court documents said the child sex abuse began when the alleged victim was just 6 years old and continued until she was 11. Prosecutors noted that the suspected child sex abuse ended when Powell and Bhagwagar broke up.

Prosecutors reportedly said the daughter did not live with her mother.

The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office said the sexual abuse of a minor occurred between 2018 and 2023.

Bhagwagar and Powell did not enter pleas when they appeared in court on Wednesday, according to KTVU. Both suspects are reportedly scheduled to return to Contra Costa County Superior Court in August.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton stated, "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."

The Contra Costa Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Investigation Division at 925-313-2600, email tips@so.cccounty.us, or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Once the appalling accusations surfaced, Delta Air Lines immediately suspended Bhagwagar pending the investigation.

A Delta spokesperson told KTVU, "Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement. We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest."

RELATED: NYPD officer sent obscene material to undercover cop posing as 14-year-old girl: DA's office

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Federal agents reportedly storm cockpit, drag pilot off Delta plane over appalling accusations involving young children



Federal agents reportedly stormed the cockpit of a Delta Air Lines plane and dragged the pilot off the commercial airliner in a dramatic arrest over the weekend.

Delta Air Lines Flight 2809 flew out of Minneapolis and landed at San Francisco International Airport at 9:35 p.m. Saturday, according to FlightAware.

'Everyone was confused and in disbelief at what was happening.'

Passengers on the Boeing 757-300 said at least 10 federal agents marched aboard the plane, and the incident was described as "shocking and unnerving."

"A group of people with badges, guns, and different agency vests/markings were pushing their way up through the aisle to the cockpit," a passenger told the San Francisco Chronicle.

The passenger in first class said the agents were from Homeland Security Investigations in San Francisco.

The passenger claimed officers "stormed the cockpit, cuffed the copilot, arrested him, walked him down the aisle, and ushered him off the plane through the cabin doors located between first and coach."

Another passenger told KQED-TV, "Everyone was confused and in disbelief at what was happening."

A second group of officers reportedly returned a short time later to retrieve the copilot’s personal belongings.

Video uploaded to social media shows several agents with badges leaving the cockpit.

RELATED: Teen arrested after allegedly saying 7 words that led to airplane evacuation. But mom says it was just a joke.

The copilot later was identified as 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, "Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division have been conducting an investigation since April 2025 after receiving a report of sex crimes against a child."

The sheriff's office noted that its investigation revealed that Bhagwagar allegedly sexually assaulted a child under 10 years of age.

An arrest warrant was secured for the suspect.

Sheriff's office detectives and agents with Homeland Security Investigations boarded the plane to arrest Bhagwagar, who was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on five counts of oral copulation with a child under 10 years of age.

Bhagwagar is being detained on $5 million bail.

The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing.

Police urged anyone with any information regarding the case to contact the Investigation Division of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office at 925-313-2600, email tips@so.cccounty.us, or leave an anonymous tip at 866-846-3592.

A spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations in San Francisco told the Chronicle that the agency supported local authorities in carrying out the arrest warrant.

Once the shocking accusations surfaced, Delta Air Lines immediately suspended Bhagwagar pending the investigation.

A Delta spokesperson told KTVU-TV, "Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement. We are appalled by reports of the charges related to the arrest."

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Ex-Christian school teacher accused of sexually assaulting female student, rearrested after allegedly contacting another teen



A former teacher at a Christian school in Alabama is accused of sexual misconduct with an underage female student, according to authorities. However, the ex-teacher had her bond revoked after she reportedly contacted another teen.

Sarah Huggins Logan — who was a teacher at the North River Christian Academy — allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl at the school.

'We have prayed for them and encouraged our entire school family to hold them up in their personal prayers.'

Citing charging documents, AL.com reported that the mother of an underage female student "found messages in her daughter’s phone that indicated there was a romantic and sexual relationship taking place between Logan and the victim."

The alleged victim told investigators that she and Logan had performed sex acts on each other in the bedroom of Logan's home in Buhl, according to charging documents.

Detectives with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office conducted interviews and discovered evidence before obtaining arrest warrants for Logan.

Logan, 35, was arrested on July 18 and charged with one count of a school employee engaging in a sex act, according to AL.com.

Logan was released on a $5,000 bond on the day of her arrest, according to the sheriff's office. She was ordered not to have any contact with any minors except for her own children.

RELATED: Married ex-teacher hit with 52 additional child sex charges related to multiple alleged trysts with 15-year-old male student

Photo by halbergman via iStock / Getty Images

Logan was rearrested Tuesday.

Citing charging documents, AL.com reported that after Logan got out of jail, she set up a new social media account and sent a "friend request" to a 17-year-old. Authorities stated that the friend request violated the judge's order, and District Judge James Gentry subsequently revoked Logan's bond. She remained in jail Friday afternoon.

There could be more victims, and Logan could face more charges, according to Capt. Jack Kennedy, head of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Unit. The North River Christian Academy was cooperating with the investigation.

Logan was a teacher and volleyball coach at the North River Christian Academy, a school for grades pre-K through 12 that focuses on a "Christ-centered education and advancing His kingdom through Christian service."

RELATED: Ex-teacher accused of grooming, sexually abusing teen boy; mother rips suspect as 'sick, twisted, calculating sex offender'

School officials said they had been made aware last week of an allegation against Logan and "notified the appropriate state and local authorities."

The school said in a Facebook statement, "It should be self-evident to say that this incident is heart-rending for all involved. This includes especially the families directly impacted."

"We have prayed for them and encouraged our entire school family to hold them up in their personal prayers," the school added. "This situation is easy for no one; there are only degrees of difficulty."

The school vowed to "weather this storm."

The North River Christian Academy informed People magazine that Logan is no longer employed there and was "released" for a reason "unrelated to the arrest."

The Violent Crimes Unit of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office urged any potential child sex abuse victims or anyone with information on the case to contact investigators at 205-464-8690.

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