Former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, center, walks into US District Court in Portland, Oregon, Monday, November 17, 2025. Molly J. Smith/AP PORTLAND, Ore. AP —

A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while riding off-duty in the cockpit is set to appear for sentencing in federal court Monday.

Joseph Emerson pleaded guilty or no-contest to all charges against him in September as part of agreements with state and federal prosecutors. He wanted to take responsibility for his actions and avoid further time behind bars, his attorney Noah Horst said at the time.

In the federal case, prosecutors have asked for a year in prison, while his attorneys have asked for probation.

Emerson was subdued by the flight crew after trying

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