A disturbing video showing a young man chasing and kicking at a sea lion in San Diego sparked outrage when it spread across social media in July. Now, the 18-year-old seen in the footage has pleaded guilty to a federal crime.
Tyler Muehl, of La Jolla, pleaded guilty on Aug. 13 to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, the charge stems from an encounter with a California sea lion at La Jolla Cove on the night of July 22.
Video of the incident circulated widely online in the days that followed and even drew attention from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). According to Fox 5 News, it prompted an investigation by the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Division.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria addressed the footage in a July 25 post on X, saying he had asked local law enforcement to review the incident while NOAA investigated possible federal violations. The federal investigation has now resulted in Muehl admitting that he harassed and pursued the protected animal. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, he is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 20 and faces a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Viral Video Showed The Sea Lion Trying To Escape
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According to Muehl’s plea agreement, he approached the sea lion while it was resting on a sea wall near Ellen Browning Scripps Park. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Muehl raised his hands as though preparing to fight the animal and referred to himself as UFC fighter Max Holloway.
Muehl admitted that he kicked at the sea lion four times and made contact with the animal. Prosecutors said two kicks struck the sea lion’s face, causing it to recoil.
After the second kick, the sea lion turned and attempted to flee in the opposite direction. The Associated Press writes that Muehl chased the animal down the path, kicked it again as it stumbled along the sea wall, and continued pursuing it until the sea lion escaped over the wall and reached the beach.
As part of his guilty plea, Muehl agreed that the viral video was a fair and accurate recording of the encounter. The Associated Press reports that at least one other person can be heard laughing in the background of the footage.
Sea Lions Are Protected Under Federal Law
California sea lions are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it illegal to harass wild marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries explains that harassment can include behavior that has the potential to injure an animal or disrupt activities such as feeding, sheltering, or nursing.
NOAA also urges visitors to give seals and sea lions plenty of space, as opposed to drawing close for a closer look. The agency’s current marine-life viewing guidelines recommend staying at least 150 feet away from seals and sea lions on land and in the water.
NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement investigated Muehl’s case. Eric Morgan, assistant director of the agency’s West Coast Division, said in the federal announcement that intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is illegal and can endanger the animal’s well-being.
Muehl will return to federal court for sentencing on Oct. 20 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt.