A passenger who caused a major disturbance on a Delta Connection flight, culminating in an attempt to open an emergency exit door mid-air, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.
Chaos in the Skies: A Timeline of Disruption
Mario Nikprelaj, a 24-year-old from Shelby Township, Michigan, received his sentence on Tuesday after pleading guilty to interfering with flight crew members. The incident occurred on July 17 aboard a SkyWest flight operating as a Delta Connection service from Omaha to Detroit.
According to prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, the trouble started even before takeoff. Nikprelaj reportedly refused to fasten his seatbelt and directed rude comments towards the cabin crew. Once the aircraft was airborne, his behaviour worsened significantly.
Threats, Assault, and a Critical Safety Breach
The situation escalated when Nikprelaj repeatedly stood up, ignored instructions, and then physically poked an 80-year-old flight attendant in the chest while threatening to kill them. After a period where he seemed to fall asleep, he began tampering with the emergency exit door.
This critical safety breach caused such alarm that several passengers pressed their call buttons for help. The same flight attendant he had threatened earlier approached to intervene, but Nikprelaj pushed them aside, continued cursing, and made further threats.
Emergency Diversion and Arrest
Fearing an imminent safety catastrophe, the captain made the decision to divert the aircraft. The flight made an emergency landing at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids.
During the descent and after landing, Nikprelaj remained belligerent. Prosecutors stated he removed his shirt, walked up and down the aisle, and confronted three passengers who tried to help restrain him. Cedar Rapids police took him into custody immediately upon landing.
Authorities also made a concerning discovery during the arrest: a prescription bottle containing 41 pills of purported Xanax that was not prescribed to Nikprelaj.
Previous Offences and Sentence Details
Court records cited by prosecutors reveal that Nikprelaj has a history of legal troubles, including prior charges for assaulting a police officer, domestic violence, and drug-related offences.
In addition to the 18-month prison term, Nikprelaj will serve two years of supervised release following his incarceration. It is important to note that, within the federal system, inmates are not eligible for parole.
This case underscores the severe consequences of endangering flight safety and assaulting crew members, with federal authorities taking a stringent stance on such offences.
