Mario Nikprelaj, 24, was sentenced on Jan. 13 to 18 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to interfering with flight crew following a July 17, 2025 incident. Prosecutors say he repeatedly removed his seatbelt, threatened and shoved an 80-year-old flight attendant, and was seen manipulating an emergency exit door on an Omaha-to-Detroit flight. The pilot diverted the aircraft for an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where police arrested him and found a prescription bottle with 41 pills of purported Xanax not in his name. Nikprelaj has a documented criminal history including prior assault and domestic violence convictions.
Passenger Who Tried to Open Plane Exit Mid-Flight, Threatened Crew, Sentenced to 18 Months
Linn County Correctional CenterA photo of Mario Nikprelaj
Mario Nikprelaj, 24, was sentenced on Jan. 13 to 18 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of interfering with flight crew and attendants following a midair incident that forced an emergency landing.
Linn County Correctional CenterA photo of Mario Nikprelaj via the Linn County Correctional Center
What Happened Aboard the Flight
The episode began on July 17, 2025, aboard a flight from Omaha to Detroit. Prosecutors say Nikprelaj made disruptive and rude statements to passengers and crew before takeoff and initially refused to fasten his seatbelt. Although a flight attendant convinced him to buckle up and the plane departed, he repeatedly unfastened his seatbelt during ascent and stood up several times.
Alamy Stock PhotoA photo of a SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ-200 at the Los Angeles airport
When a flight attendant asked him to re-secure his belt, Nikprelaj allegedly gave an obscene gesture, poked the crew member in the chest and threatened to kill that attendant after being warned he would be reported to law enforcement. Other passengers reported seeing him manipulate an emergency exit door near his seat and pressed call buttons to alert the crew.
Google MapsA photo of the Eastern Iowa Airport Cedar Rapids
Escalation and Emergency Landing
The threatened flight attendant, described in court filings as 80 years old, approached again to intervene. Prosecutors say Nikprelaj shoved the attendant, cursed at them and continued issuing threats. The pilot diverted the flight and made an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
During the diversion, court records say Nikprelaj removed his shirt, walked up and down the aisle, struck at passengers who tried to stop him and intermittently returned to his seat while continuing to make obscene gestures at crew and fellow travelers. Cedar Rapids police took him into custody after the plane landed.
Charges, Evidence and Criminal History
Officers searching Nikprelaj found a prescription bottle containing 41 pills identified as purported Xanax that was not in his name. Local authorities initially charged him with disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, a tax stamp offense and first-degree harassment. In September 2025 he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants.
At sentencing, prosecutors noted Nikprelaj's prior criminal convictions, including assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer, domestic violence, disorderly conduct, breaking and entering, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Federal officials said the sentence was intended to hold him accountable for behavior that jeopardized the safety of passengers and crew and caused an unscheduled emergency landing.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Iowa; Cedar Rapids Police Department; court filings.
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