Hawaii Child Exploitation Suspect Donald Lang, 62, Arrested in Canada

Donald Steven Lang, 62, was arrested in Canada after a Hawaii indictment for producing child sexual abuse images aboard his sailboat. He faces 15–30 years in prison if convicted.

Dual Citizen Arrested in Canada Over Hawaii Child Exploitation Charges

Donald Steven Lang, 62, a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen, was arrested in Canada over the weekend at the request of the United States, DOJ Justice News reports, following his earlier indictment in Hawaii on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Court documents allege that Lang produced images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct between September and December 2024 aboard his 52-foot sailboat, the Ishi. Lang is described as an amateur sailor who travels internationally and frequently harbored 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. "We will continue to pursue this alleged offender and work with our law enforcement partners to return him to the United States to face trial for the crimes he is charged with committing."

U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii said his office remains "unwavering" in its commitment to protecting children in Hawaii. "I commend the continued dedication and great work of FBI and our Canadian law enforcement partners for apprehending Mr. Lang quickly and safely so that he can face justice in U.S. District Court in Hawaii for his alleged crimes," Sorenson added.

FBI Criminal Assistant Director Heith Janke credited cross-border coordination for the arrest. "Donald Lang has been accused by multiple victims of committing sexual abuse of a minor," Janke said. "Lang's apprehension was the direct result of the collaboration of the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pacific Region."

Lang was previously indicted on separate child sexual abuse charges in Idaho, stemming from alleged involvement in the sexual assault of a minor between 2003 and 2007.

If convicted on the current Hawaii charges, Lang faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison. Additional penalties include between five years and lifetime supervised release, as well as a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing, should a conviction follow, will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being investigated by FBI Honolulu. Units from the RCMP's Tofino General Duty, Island District GIS, Nanaimo Detachment, and Island District ERT all participated in the apprehension. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided assistance in securing the arrest.

Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Justice Department's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Eucker for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.

Anyone with information about the case can contact FBI Honolulu at (808) 426-2534, the FBI's toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: DOJ Justice News