Yachtsman with ties to California ran sick child sex ring from his 52-foot sailboat: feds
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An accused seafaring pervert who allegedly ran a child pornography ring from his 52-foot sailboat and was known to frequent ports in California has been captured by authorities.
Donald Steven Lang, 62, was arrested over the weekend in Canada on charges of producing images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to the US Department of Justice.
Lang allegedly produced the images between September 2024 and December 2024 aboard his massive boat, named the “Ishi.” He is an amateur sailor who is known for cruising around the world and frequently harboring in Hawaii.
“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 manhunt when he fled his home port in Hawaii after catching wind of a $5,000 bounty placed for him by the FBI in 2025.
He was known for his sailing skills, authorities said, bouncing between Hawaii and Fiji, Hawaii and Mexico, toward Papua New Guinea and possibly Indonesia. Lang had ties to people in Hawaii, Idaho, Washington state, California, Fiji, the Marquesas Islands, Mexico and Canada.
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 aboard his sailboat in Hawaii in January 2025.
The dual US-Canadian citizen 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.
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Born in British Columbia, Lang is a veteran a sailor who supported himself with odd jobs, such as fixing boats, on the side. He has multiple tattoos on his body including a faded conch shell with the word “captain” above it on his right arm.
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 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.
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