La Jolla teen pleads guilty to sea lion kicking

On August 14, 2026, Tyler Muehl, an 18-year-old from La Jolla, pleaded guilty in federal court to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act for kicking a California sea lion at La Jolla Cove on July 22, 2026. The incident, captured on viral video, showed Muehl approaching the sea lion with his hands raised, referring to himself as UFC fighter Max Holloway, and kicking at the animal multiple times, including twice in the face, causing it to flinch and flee. Muehl admitted the video was a fair and accurate recording. He faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for October 20 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California and investigated by United States — National Marine Fisheries Service. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria condemned the attack, and NOAA officials emphasized the seriousness of harassing protected marine mammals. The plea follows a separate incident in Hawaii where Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk was charged with throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.