WHEELING, WV—A commercial airline pilot for Republic Airways has been convicted of traveling across state lines in order to have sex with a minor female, officials said.
Mustafa Momoun Bazbaz, 28, of Oakdale, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to “Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct,” a felony.
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, officials said.
At the time of the incident, Bazbaz was employed as a pilot with Republic Airways and was stationed in Pittsburgh.
Bazbaz is facing up to 30 years in prison, officials said. He is innocent until proven guilty.