An 18-year-old from La Jolla, California, has pleaded guilty to repeatedly kicking a sea lion, an act that violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Tyler Muehl entered a plea agreement in federal court on Thursday, admitting to the harassment of the animal, which is prohibited under federal law.
Muehl is scheduled for sentencing in October and faces a potential sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. The incident occurred on June 22 when Muehl was captured on video kicking the sea lion multiple times as it rested on a sea wall at La Jolla Cove.
Witness accounts and the Justice Department state that Muehl approached the sea lion, which appeared to be attempting to move away. The video shows the animal attempting to escape Muehl's advances, while Muehl continued to kick at it. Friends of Muehl can be heard in the background, with one warning him that the animal might bite.
Muehl reportedly referred to himself as UFC fighter Max Holloway as he engaged with the sea lion. The animal eventually managed to escape back to the beach.
"Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal – it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal," stated Eric Morgan of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Marine Mammal Protection Act aims to safeguard marine mammals from such harassment.
La Jolla, the community where Muehl resides, is known as one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in San Diego County, with average home prices ranging from $2 million to $3 million and an average household income around $210,000.