Donald Steven Lang, 62, was arrested in Canada over the weekend after a global manhunt.
Lang, a dual US-Canadian citizen, was captured on charges of producing images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to the US Department of Justice. The amateur sailor allegedly produced the images between September 2024 and December 2024 aboard his 52-foot sailboat, named the Ishi. He had fled his home port in Hawaii after learning of a $5,000 FBI bounty placed on him in 2025.
“Protecting children from sexual predators is a priority of the highest order,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Lang led authorities on a global pursuit, bouncing between Hawaii and Fiji, Hawaii and Mexico, toward Papua New Guinea and possibly Indonesia. He was known for his sailing skills and had supported himself with odd jobs such as fixing boats. Born in British Columbia, Lang had ties to people in Hawaii, Idaho, Washington state, California, Fiji, the Marquesas Islands, Mexico and Canada.
FBI Criminal Assistant Director Heith Janke said Lang’s apprehension was the direct result of collaboration between the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“Donald Lang has been accused by multiple victims of committing sexual abuse of a minor,” Janke said.
“The FBI remains committed to identifying, investigating, and bringing offenders to justice who prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our communities,” he added.
Lang was previously charged with three counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and one count of sexual battery of a minor in Idaho. He was also wanted for his alleged involvement in the sexual assault of a minor in Idaho between 2003 and 2007. Before he went on the lam, Lang was last seen on his sailboat in Hawaii in January of 2025.
In the viral moment that sparked the manhunt, Lang became the subject of an FBI bounty after the federal charges were filed. The sailor, who has multiple tattoos including a faded conch shell with the word “captain” above it on his right arm, had built a reputation cruising around the world and frequently harboring in Hawaii. His case drew attention for the brazen nature of the alleged crimes committed aboard his vessel and the extensive international effort required to track him down.
Lang is being held in Canada and is in extradition proceedings for his return to the US for prosecution. If convicted of his federal charges, he faces up to 30 years in prison.