Police allege passenger assaulted man and endangered aircraft; drugs also seized

SIOUX LOOKOUT — Ontario Provincial Police in Sioux Lookout say a passenger was arrested and charged after officers responded to a report of an incident involving a Wasaya Airways flight from Thunder Bay at the Sioux Lookout Airport.

OPP say officers were called to the airport on Jan. 9, 2026, after receiving information that the safety of people on board the aircraft had been endangered. Police allege a female passenger became violent on the flight and assaulted a male.

Drug seizure and outstanding charge noted by police

OPP say the woman was arrested at the airport and officers located a quantity of suspected crack cocaine. She was taken into custody and held at the Sioux Lookout OPP detachment.

Police also allege the accused had an outstanding impaired driving matter connected to Wunnumin Lake.

Charges

Police say Rayanne Anderson, 44 (born Aug. 14, 1981), has been charged with:

• Assault

• Endangering the safety of an aircraft

• Possession of crack cocaine for the purpose of trafficking

Explanation of the Charges and Potential Penalties

1) Assault (Criminal Code, s. 266)

• If prosecuted by indictment: maximum 5 years imprisonment.

• If prosecuted summarily: it’s “punishable on summary conviction,” and the general maximum for summary conviction offences is up to 2 years less a day and/or a $5,000 fine (unless another section sets a different limit).

2) Endangering the Safety of an Aircraft (Criminal Code, s. 77)

• This offence is indictable, with a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

3) Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking — Crack Cocaine (CDSA, s. 5(2))

• Cocaine is a Schedule I substance.

• For trafficking or possession for the purpose of trafficking in a Schedule I substance, the offence is indictable and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Other possible outcomes (case-specific)

Depending on the circumstances, a court may also impose conditions/orders such as probation, weapons prohibitions, no-contact orders, and other restrictions, especially where public safety is raised—those are not automatic, but commonly considered.

Release conditions and next court date

OPP say Anderson was released by Justice of the Peace Joanne Clouston on Jan. 10, 2026, on a $200 no-deposit bail with conditions, including:

• Reside in Kasabonika Lake

• Not attend Sioux Lookout except for medical reasons

• No contact with the complainant

The accused is scheduled to appear in court next in Wunnumin Lake on Jan. 19, 2026.

The charges have not been proven in court.