August 14, 2014

Airline Pilot Convicted of Traveling to Have Sex with Minor

WHEELING, WV—A commercial airline pilot has been convicted of traveling across state lines in order to have sex with a minor female.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced today that MUSTAFA MOMOUN BAZBAZ, 28 years of age, of Oakdale, Pennsylvania entered a guilty plea to the felony offense of “Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct.” BAZBAZ communicated with a 15-year old female from Jefferson County, Ohio, in December of 2013 via the website known as MeetMe.com. He misrepresented his age and name to the victim, claiming to be 17 years old and to be named “Mike B.” BAZBAZ also sent sexually explicit images of himself to the victim before arranging to pick up the victim near her home in Jefferson County in December of 2013. BAZBAZ then took the victim to a hotel room in Hancock County where they engaged in sexual intercourse.

At the time of the incident BAZBAZ was employed as a pilot with Republic Airways and was stationed in Pittsburgh. The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hancock County (WV) Sheriff’s Department. This prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. BAZBAZ faces up to thirty years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervision for life. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.