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Prison for Disrupting Flight, Threatening Crew
14 Jan
Summary
- Man sentenced to 18 months for disrupting flight and threatening a flight attendant.
- The incident forced a plane to make an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
- Passenger was found with 41 pills of purported Xanax during search.
Mario Nikprelaj, aged 24, received an 18-month federal prison sentence on January 13, 2026, for his role in a disruptive mid-flight incident. The events unfolded on July 17, 2025, when Nikprelaj's erratic behavior aboard a flight from Omaha to Detroit necessitated an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
During the flight, Nikprelaj made disruptive statements, refused to wear his seatbelt, and verbally and physically threatened a flight attendant. His actions escalated when he began manipulating an emergency exit door, leading passengers to believe he intended to open it. The pilot declared an emergency, diverting the aircraft to Cedar Rapids.
Upon landing, authorities apprehended Nikprelaj and discovered 41 pills, suspected to be Xanax, not in his name. Considering his prior criminal history, which includes assault and domestic violence, Nikprelaj was also sentenced to two years of supervised release.
