Full Breakdown
Dual-Citizen Sailor Arrested in Canada Over Alleged Child Exploitation Aboard Vessel Ishi
8/30/2026, 12:21:50 AM
Core Event: Arrest and Federal Indictment
Federal authorities announced that Donald Steven Lang, a 62-year-old dual U.S.–Canadian citizen, was taken into custody in British Columbia after a coordinated effort between the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Pacific Region. Lang faces a federal indictment for sexual exploitation of a minor that allegedly occurred aboard his oceangoing sailboat Ishi during the fall of 2024. Prosecutors allege he persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct and produced visual depictions. The Department of Justice also seeks forfeiture of the vessel, digital devices and storage media if convicted.
Background & Context
Lang’s legal troubles predate the Hawaii indictment. Kootenai County prosecutors charged him in April 2025 with three counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 and one count of sexual battery, stemming from alleged assaults between 2003 and 2007. Prior to the federal case, Lang was reported missing after departing Oahu for Maui in 2022; he was last heard from the following day and failed to return as scheduled in January 2023. His reputation as an international sailor who frequently harbored in Hawaii contributed to a multi-year manhunt that spanned the South Pacific.
Timeline
- 2003-2007: Alleged child-sex offenses in Idaho.
- 2022: Lang departs Oahu on Ishi and disappears.
- January 2023: Expected return; Lang remains missing.
- Sept-Dec 2024: Prosecutors allege exploitation of a minor aboard Ishi.
- August 2024: A federal grand jury in Hawaii returns an indictment.
- Early this year: FBI alerts warn Lang could be sailing between Hawaii and destinations such as Fiji, Mexico, Papua New Guinea or Indonesia.
- Over the weekend: Lang is arrested in Canada following the FBI-RCMP collaboration.
Data & Statistics
- Vessel: Ishi, described as a 55-foot 1985 Taylor Hatfield sailboat in one report and a 52-foot vessel in another.
- Charges: One federal count of sexual exploitation of a child; four state-level counts in Idaho.
- Potential sentence: Minimum 15 years, maximum 30 years imprisonment, plus a fine up to $250,000 and supervised release ranging from five years to life.
- Reward: The FBI offered up to $5,000 for information leading to Lang’s capture.
Official Statements & Responses
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva emphasized that protecting children from sexual predators is a top priority for the Justice Department. U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson highlighted the “unwavering” commitment of his office to safeguard Hawaii’s children and praised the rapid cooperation between the FBI and Canadian law-enforcement partners. FBI Criminal Assistant Director Heith Janke reiterated the bureau’s dedication to identifying and prosecuting offenders who prey on vulnerable community members.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The FBI remains committed to identifying, investigating, and bringing offenders to justice who prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our communities,” — Heith Janke
- “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is unwavering in our commitment to protecting Hawaii’s children and bringing to justice anyone preying upon them,” — Ken Sorenson
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Vessel length: Fox 10 Phoenix describes Ishi as a 55-foot sailboat, while the Toronto Sun lists it as 52 feet.
- Arrest location: Sources specify “British Columbia” and more generally “Canada” but do not pinpoint the exact jurisdiction or facility.
- Victim details: No identifying information about the alleged minor or the number of victims is provided.
The arrest concludes an extensive international search and sets the stage for upcoming federal proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.
