Delta Passenger Sentenced to 18 Months After Trying to Open Exit Door During Flight

A Michigan man who tried to open an emergency exit door, assaulted a flight attendant, and forced an emergency landing aboard a Delta-connected flight has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, according to prosecutors, as reported by The New York Post.

Mario Nikprelaj, 24, of Shelby Township, Michigan, was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants.

The charge stemmed from a violent incident last July aboard Delta Connection Flight 3612, operated by SkyWest Airlines, during a trip from Nebraska to Detroit.

Only 18 months???? “Delta passenger who tried to open emergency exit door,fought with flight attendant sentenced to 18 months in prison” https://t.co/TmNBIWR2VH

— Fredric U. Dicker (@fud31) January 15, 2026

The sentence was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa.

In addition to the prison term, Nikprelaj was ordered to serve two years of supervised release once he completes his sentence.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

According to prosecutors, the incident began before the aircraft even left the ground. Nikprelaj started causing problems prior to takeoff from Eppley Airfield in Omaha.

Authorities said he made “disruptive and rude statements” toward fellow passengers and the flight crew and refused to fasten his seatbelt until a flight attendant persuaded him to comply.

The situation escalated during takeoff. Prosecutors said Nikprelaj “repeatedly took off his seat belt” after being instructed to keep it fastened and “stood up repeatedly while the plane was ascending.”

During the confrontation, he “flipped off” an 80-year-old flight attendant who told him to buckle up and then “poked the flight attendant in the chest.”

When the crew warned that law enforcement would be notified, Nikprelaj threatened to kill the flight attendant, prosecutors said.

After appearing to fall asleep, the disturbance resumed when passengers activated emergency call buttons after observing Nikprelaj tampering with the emergency exit door.

As the situation unfolded midair, the same elderly flight attendant intervened and was again shoved, cursed at, and threatened with death, according to court records.

The flight was diverted and made an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“As the plane was descending, Nikprelaj again stood up, took his shirt off, and began walking up and down the aisle,” prosecutors said.

Flight crew members asked passengers to assist in restraining Nikprelaj. Authorities said he lashed out at three passengers and attempted to punch them during the effort to subdue him.

After the plane landed, Nikprelaj was taken into custody. Prosecutors said officers found a prescription bottle containing 41 pills of purported Xanax that was not issued in his name.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department charged Nikprelaj with disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, a tax stamp violation, and first-degree harassment.

Court records also detailed Nikprelaj’s criminal history, which includes prior convictions for assaulting a police officer, domestic violence, and drug-related offenses.

In 2020, when he was 18 years old, Nikprelaj was charged after allegedly hitting his girlfriend, according to KCRG. That same year, he was also charged with stealing a snowplow from a business near Detroit.

The flight involved Delta Air Lines through its Delta Connection service and was operated by SkyWest Airlines.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.