A Delta Air Lines co-pilot was arrested at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday evening on charges related to child sexual abuse materials, according to a senior official with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and multiple media reports.
The arrest occurred shortly after Delta Flight 2809 from Minnesota landed at about 9:35 pm. Passengers reported that approximately 10 law enforcement officers, including agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), boarded the plane before passengers were allowed to disembark. One witness described officers pushing through the aisle, storming the cockpit, handcuffing the co-pilot, and escorting him off the aircraft.
A senior DHS official confirmed that HSI agents executed an arrest warrant for the pilot on charges involving child sexual abuse materials. Delta Air Lines stated that the individual has been suspended pending an investigation, adding, 'Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful conduct and will fully cooperate with law enforcement.'
Another passenger noted that the remaining pilot appeared unaware of the situation. Video footage published by View from the Wing showed agents leaving the cockpit after the arrest.
