An NWT judge has issued a warrant for a man’s arrest after he failed to show up for sentencing on Thursday.
Derrick Mackeinzo, 44, had pleaded guilty to one count of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of endangering the safety of a flight by interfering with the crew’s ability to perform their duties, in violation of the Aeronautics Act.
He was set to be sentenced on the charges in Territorial Court in Yellowknife on Thursday but did not appear for the hearing.
Judge Stephanie Whitecloud-Brass subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest.
The charges against Mackeinzo stem from an incident on a flight from Norman Wells to Délı̨nę on December 12, 2023.
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RCMP said at the time they had arrested and charged an intoxicated passenger after the plane returned to the Norman Wells airport to make an emergency landing.
Police alleged Mackeinzo had taken out a replica gun concealed in his sleeve and “waved it around the cabin” of the flight.
Police said the pilot was able to take the imitation firearm from Mackeinzo before declaring a mayday and safely landing the plane.
Mackeinzo had been charged with two other counts of violating the Aeronautics Act by carrying a weapon on a flight and having access to a weapon at an aerodrome, as well as a charge for failing to comply with a probation order.
