Federal agents arrested a Delta Air Lines co-pilot on Saturday (July 26) at San Francisco International Airport shortly after the plane landed. The arrest occurred on Delta Flight 2809, which had arrived from Minneapolis. Passengers reported that approximately 10 agents, including members of Homeland Security Investigations and Federal Air Marshals, stormed the cockpit to apprehend the co-pilot.
According to KABC, the arrest warrant was issued by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. The co-pilot is being held on a $5 million bond. Although the specific charges have not been officially confirmed, Bill Melugin, a Fox News correspondent, cited a senior federal source indicating that the arrest involved allegations of child sexual abuse material.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and unsettling. A passenger told The San Francisco Chronicle that the crew and passengers were confused by the sudden intervention. 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," the passenger told the outlet.
The remaining pilot reportedly expressed ignorance about the situation.
Delta Air Lines has referred all inquiries to law enforcement and has not provided further comments. The incident is part of an ongoing investigation by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.