Overview
- He was sentenced on Jan. 13 in federal court to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa.
- Authorities said he pleaded guilty in September to one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants.
- The incident occurred July 17, 2025, on SkyWest/Delta Connection Flight 3612 from Omaha to Detroit, which diverted to Cedar Rapids for an emergency landing.
- Prosecutors said he refused instructions, flipped off and poked an 80-year-old flight attendant, threatened to kill him, and was reported by passengers after he manipulated the exit door.
- Cedar Rapids police arrested him upon landing, officers found a bottle with 41 pills of purported Xanax not in his name, local charges were later dismissed as the federal case proceeded, and prosecutors noted prior convictions including assaulting a police officer and domestic violence.