A Michigan man whose violent outburst aboard a commercial flight that forced an emergency landing in Iowa has now been sentenced to federal prison, bringing an end to a case first reported by New Media Detroit last summer.
Mario Nikprelaj of Shelby Township, was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to interfering with flight crew members and attendants, a felony offense.
The incident occurred July 17, 2025, aboard a SkyWest flight traveling from Omaha to Detroit.
According to federal court records, Nikprelaj began acting disruptively before the plane ever left the gate, refusing to wear his seatbelt and making rude and aggressive remarks toward passengers and flight crew.
Once airborne, his behavior escalated.
Court records show Nikprelaj repeatedly stood up during ascent, removed his seatbelt despite repeated instructions, flipped off a flight attendant, and ultimately poked the flight attendant in the chest. When warned he would be reported to law enforcement, Nikprelaj threatened to kill the flight attendant, prosecutors said.
After briefly appearing to fall asleep, Nikprelaj later began manipulating the emergency exit door near his seat, alarming nearby passengers who believed he was attempting to open it. Multiple passengers activated their emergency call buttons.
An 80-year-old flight attendant attempted to intervene and was pushed away while Nikprelaj again threatened to kill him.
The flight’s captain diverted the aircraft for an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
As the plane descended, Nikprelaj removed his shirt, walked the aisle, and attempted to fight passengers who stepped in to assist the crew. He continued making obscene gestures toward flight attendants and other passengers until the aircraft landed.
Cedar Rapids police officers boarded the plane upon landing and took Nikprelaj into custody. A search revealed 41 pills of purported Xanax in a prescription bottle that did not belong to him.
Federal prosecutors also outlined Nikprelaj’s prior criminal history, which includes convictions for assaulting or resisting police, domestic violence, breaking and entering, disorderly conduct, and drug-related offenses.
U.S. District Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Nikprelaj to 18 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. The court also recommended that he be designated to a Bureau of Prisons facility in Michigan or near his family, consistent with his security classification, and ordered him to participate in the Bureau of Prisons’ 500-hour Comprehensive Residential Drug Abuse Program or another approved substance abuse treatment program. There is no parole in the federal system.
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