Donald Steven Lang, 62, was arrested in Canada, accused of exploiting a child aboard his sailboat. The arrest followed an extensive search after the FBI warned he might be sailing across the Pacific to avoid capture.
Lang, holding dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada, faces charges in Hawaii for sexual exploitation of children. He was indicted in Hawaii on August 20. The U.S. authorities requested his arrest, which occurred over the weekend, ending the international pursuit.
Protecting children from sexual predators is a priority of the highest order,Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva stated.
The Department of Justice disclosed Lang’s frequent sailing, especially around Hawaii. Though often residing there, Lang’s network extended beyond, with known connections in Idaho, Washington state, California, Fiji, the Marquesas Islands, Mexico, and Canada. He was last seen on his 55-foot sailboat, Ishi, in Hawaii in January 2025; authorities believed he could be heading toward destinations such as Fiji, Mexico, or Indonesia.
Federal indictment details claims that Lang coerced a minor for producing explicit content. Among items mentioned for potential forfeiture are his boat and digital devices, including a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra phone.
Beyond this, Lang faces charges in Idaho related to an earlier case of child sex abuse. Kootenai County accused him in April 2025 of the lewd conduct and sexual battery involving a minor, tied to incidents from 2003 to 2007.
FBI Criminal Assistant Director Heith Janke spoke about Lang’s accusations from multiple victims, emphasizing the bureau’s commitment to justice for such offenders. The FBI had offered a $5,000 reward for tips leading to Lang’s arrest, underscoring his escape risk.
The arrest resulted from collaboration between the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Pacific Region, assisted by the RCMP’s Tofino General Duty, Island District GIS, Nanaimo Detachment, and Island District ERT. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also played a role.
If convicted, Lang could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to a maximum of 30 years imprisonment in the Hawaii case, alongside potential fines and long-term supervised release.