One of twins in plane disruption pleads to theft charge

MANISTEE, Mich. (AP) One of the twin sisters arrested two years ago for rowdy antics that resulted in their plane being diverted to Anchorage has pleaded no contest to theft.

Crystal Mikula, 25, entered the plea Monday. She faces up to four years in prison. Her attorney said Mikula was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when she broke into an ex-boyfriend's home and stole a TV and stereo equipment.

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes. Mikula has also been charged with stealing cigarettes and $100 in lottery tickets from a gas station April 6.

Mikula and her twin, Cynthia, were arrested in April 2001 when they disrupted a flight bound for China, and the pilot decided to land in Anchorage instead of continuing to Asia. Prosecutors said the women got drunk, argued, yelled at each other and smoked in the restroom.

In September 2001, Cynthia pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew. She was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay nearly $87,000 in restitution for costs involved in rerouting the flight.

Crystal pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault. She was fined $500 and put on probation for two years.

Each sister also was sentenced to 231 hours of community service, one hour for each of the passengers on the delayed flight.

The pair had spent six weeks in jail in Anchorage before bail was arranged.