Judge: Michigan man’s assaultive behavior on flight created ‘nightmare’ for all

CEDAR RAPIDS — A federal judge sentenced a Michigan man to 18 months in prison — the top of the sentencing guideline range — calling his disruptive and assaultive behavior on a Sky West flight last year “beyond obnoxious as he terrorized” everyone on the plane.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand noted Mario Marco Nikprelaj, 24, of Shelby Township, Mich., formally of Elkhorn, Neb., shoved and threatened to kill an 80-year-old flight attendant and was combative with other flight crew as he tried to open the emergency exit door. Nikprelaj created a “nightmare” flight and all passengers and Sky West airlines were also victims, the judge said.

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Strand said he didn’t know the expense of having the flight, which left from Omaha, Neb., on July 17, for Detroit, Mich., diverted to Cedar Rapids, but it likely was a substantial cost.

The judge also didn’t believe the claim made by the defense that Nikprelaj’s behavior was attributed to Xanax. There’s no medical evidence to support the claim, Strand concluded.

Nikprelaj pleaded guilty in September to one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants. He faced up to 20 years, but his recommended sentencing guideline range was 12 to 18 months in prison.

Strand, in sentencing him to 18 months — which he pointed out was on the “low side” even if it’s at the top the range according to the guidelines — said Nikprelaj’s criminal history for his age was concerning. Nikprelaj has previous convictions for assaults, domestic violence and breaking and entering.

Nikprelaj, during sentencing, apologized to the passengers and their families who were on the flight last year. He had time to think about his actions — having been in a county jail for six months — and is remorseful and admitted his guilt.

In July, he had been visiting his mother in Nebraska and after having a fight with his stepfather, got on the flight. He said he was high on Xanax and hadn’t slept for days.

Nikprelaj said he “begs for mercy and forgiveness” and wanted to rehabilitate and lead a productive life.

Flight incident

According to a federal complaint, flight attendants notified the pilot before the SkyWest flight took off from Omaha, Neb., on July 17, that a passenger — Nikprelaj — seated in the exit row was being “unruly,” but the attendants were able to “satisfactorily control the situation.”

Nikprelaj boarded the flight with no checked baggage or a carry-on and was traveling with a one-way ticket to Detroit, Mich., the complaint stated.

Shortly after the flight began its ascent, Nikprelaj left his seat against the crew’s instructions and “flipped off” the flight attendants, but by the time the flight had reached 10,000 feet he returned to his seat and appeared to be falling asleep, according to the complaint.

About 20 miles from Cedar Rapids, a flight attendant made an emergency call to the pilot, advising him Nikprelaj attempted to open the plane’s emergency exit door and started fighting with other passengers.

The pilot made an emergency call to air traffic control, informing personnel he needed to make an emergency landing at The Eastern Iowa Airport, according to the complaint.

About five minutes later, Nikprelaj was still attempting to open the emergency exit door and was fighting with one of the flight attendants, the complaint stated. The pilot, over the intercom, asked the passengers to remain seated, but he also asked if there were any passengers willing to assist the flight attendants in subduing Nikprelaj. Three passengers volunteered to help.

After the plane landed, flight attendants and passengers told authorities, during interviews, that Nikprelaj pushed, grabbed their arms and threatened to kill them while they tried to stop him from opening the exit door.

During an interview with Cedar Rapids police officers, Nikprelaj said he “smacked” a flight attendant’s hand when the attendant attempted to block him from walking down the aisle when he was required to be seated.

Police, during Nikprelaj’s arrest, found he was carrying Xanax pills concealed under his scrotum, according to the complaint.

Nikprelaj was initially charged in Linn County District Court with assault, disorderly conduct, first-degree harassment, unlawful possession of a prescription drug and failure to affix drug tax stamp, but Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks dropped those charges when he was informed federal charges would be filed.

Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts for The Gazette

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