Pelting a flight attendant with bags of peanuts and pretzels on an airplane during a tantrum over an electronic cigarette has cost a Sandy man his travel rights — at least for now.

A federal judge on Thursday demanded 42-year-old Pogos Paul Sefilian turn in his passport and ordered the man not to fly as his case moves through Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court. Sefilian was charged with one count of interference with a flight crew after he disrupted a flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City this week.

Following a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate David Nuffer, Sefilian was granted release from jail as long as he complies with pre-trial conditions set by the court, including wearing a GPS tracking device.

Sefilian became combative on Southwest Airlines Flight 188, which departed Los Angeles at 6 p.m. on Monday, according to a complaint filed in federal court on Tuesday. Sefilian started using an electronic cigarette after boarding the plane. The device uses heat to simulate smoking tobacco-filled cigarettes with a vapor that is inhaled. A flight attendant spotted Sefilian with the electronic cigarette and informed him he couldn't use it on the plane, the complaint states.

Sefilian argued with the flight attendant, but stowed the device, according to the complaint. But after takeoff, he pulled it out and became enraged when the attendant again asked him to put it away, the complaint states.

Later, he threw peanuts and pretzels at the flight attendant and at the flight deck door in an apparent attempt to protest the airline's policy banning electronic cigarettes, the complaint states. The flight attendant asked Sefilian to stop his unruly behavior, but as the flight approached Salt Lake City International Airport, Sefilian jumped up and started opening overhead containers, the complaint states.

The flight attendant made six announcements for Sefilian to sit down, but he refused, according to the complaint.

FBI agents arrested Sefilian once the plane landed.

Utah court records show that Sefilian has a criminal history that includes several charges connected to driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Sefilian is next scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 3.

mrogers@sltrib.com

Twitter: @mrogers_trib —