Overview
- Tyler Muehl, 18, admitted Thursday that he kicked a California sea lion four times, made physical contact, chased the animal as it fled and agreed that the viral video fairly recorded the attack.
- Federal prosecutors charged Muehl with violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act by knowingly harassing a marine mammal, a misdemeanor that carries up to one year in jail and a $100,000 fine.
- NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement led the probe after the clip spread on Snapchat and Instagram and repeatedly urged the public to report violations to help identify suspects.
- Local leaders and conservation groups condemned the incident and Mayor Todd Gloria said the guilty plea shows harming protected wildlife carries consequences.
- The case highlights how viral social media footage is driving prosecutions under the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act and underscores NOAA’s reliance on partner agencies and public reporting for on‑the‑ground enforcement.