La Jolla teen faces justice after kicking helpless sea lion in viral attack

Key Points:

• Tyler Muehl, an 18-year-old from the affluent La Jolla community, pleaded guilty to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act after a viral video showed him chasing and repeatedly kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove.
• The incident occurred on July 22 near Ellen Browning Scripps Park, where Muehl admitted to kicking the sea lion four times, causing the animal to flee and stumble as it escaped.
• The video, shared on Snapchat and Instagram, prompted a federal investigation by NOAA, emphasizing that harassment or harm to marine mammals is illegal and harmful to their well-being.
• Muehl was charged with knowingly harassing and hunting a California sea lion, an offense under the Marine Mammal Protection Act that carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
• US Attorney Adam Gordon highlighted the seriousness of the federal crime, reinforcing that such violations carry significant legal consequences.