A 24-year-old Albanian man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison in the United States after pleading guilty to causing panic aboard a Delta Airlines flight, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Iowa confirmed.

The sentence for Mario Nikprelaj comes just seven months after a serious in-flight incident in which he attempted to forcibly open an aircraft door while the plane was in the air, nearly triggering an aviation tragedy. Disaster was avoided only due to the rapid intervention and physical restraint by flight attendants and crew members.

Nikprelaj, who was born in Michigan, began causing disturbances on a Delta Airlines flight operated by SkyWest that was traveling from Nebraska to Detroit in July last year. According to prosecutors, he made disturbing and inappropriate statements toward passengers and crew, repeatedly refused to wear his seatbelt, and stood up multiple times during takeoff despite being ordered to remain seated.

The situation escalated when he made obscene gestures toward a flight attendant, pushed her, and later threatened to kill her after being informed that his behavior would be reported to authorities. After a brief period of calm, panic broke out again when passengers pressed emergency call buttons upon seeing him interfere with an emergency exit door.

As the aircraft prepared for an emergency landing in Iowa, Nikprelaj reportedly stood up again, removed his shirt, and walked aggressively up and down the aisle. Crew members asked passengers to help restrain him after he attacked three people and attempted to strike them.

Following the emergency landing, he was taken into custody. Authorities found a bottle containing 41 pills suspected to be sedatives. He was charged with disorderly conduct, assault, possession of prescription medication, violation of tax stamp laws, and harassment.

Prosecutors also revealed that the 24-year-old has a lengthy criminal record, including prior convictions for assaulting a police officer, domestic violence, and drug-related offenses.