San Diego teen pleads guilty to violating Marine Mammal Protection Act after sea lion attack
An 18-year-old from La Jolla admitted to kicking a protected sea lion at La Jolla Cove and pleaded guilty to a federal wildlife violation, facing possible prison time and a fine.
An 18-year-old resident of La Jolla pleaded guilty Thursday to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act after a video showed him kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove beach on July 22. U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said the teenager, Tyler Muehl, admitted to kicking the animal four times and striking it at least twice. The footage, which captured the incident and background laughter, was deemed an accurate record of the attack.
NOAA’s Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement West Coast Division noted that federal guidelines require people to stay at least 50 feet (15 meters) from protected marine mammals. > "Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal — it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal," said Eric Morgan, a NOAA official who investigated the case.
Under the plea agreement, Muehl faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, with sentencing scheduled for Oct. 20.