An 18-year-old California man pleaded guilty after video showed him repeatedly kicking a sea lion in San Diego. Tyler Muehl admitted to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act by harassing the animal during a July 22 incident in La Jolla. Federal prosecutors said he chased the sea lion as it tried to escape. Muehl faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, with sentencing expected on Oct. 20.
| 1) | Incident in La Jolla |
| 2) | Video Documented the Attack |
| 3) | Federal Investigation and Guilty Plea |
| 4) | Potential Penalties and Sentencing |
| 5) | Officials Warn Against Wildlife Harassment |
Incident in La Jolla
The incident occurred on July 22 in La Jolla, a seaside neighborhood of San Diego. Prosecutors said Tyler Muehl, who lives in the area, approached a sea lion that was peacefully sitting on a seawall. The animal was protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits harassment and other conduct that can harm or disturb marine mammals.
Authorities said Muehl squared his hands as though preparing to fight and referred to himself as Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Max Holloway. He then moved toward the animal and began kicking it. The case centers on the deliberate nature of the encounter and the effect of the attack on the sea lion as it attempted to get away.
Video Documented the Attack
The confrontation was captured on video and later circulated widely online. According to federal prosecutors, Muehl kicked the sea lion four times. The animal reared, flinched and recoiled after the blows, then turned and attempted to flee.
Prosecutors said Muehl continued after the animal began escaping. He chased it and kicked at it a third time, while the sea lion stumbled on the seawall. Officials said he kicked the animal again and pursued it until it finally escaped. As part of his plea agreement, Muehl acknowledged that the viral recording was a fair and accurate account of what happened.
Federal Investigation and Guilty Plea
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration investigated the incident. Muehl entered a guilty plea in federal court on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, to a misdemeanor violation involving the federal prohibition on harassing wildlife. The plea resolves the criminal allegation without changing the underlying account documented in the video and described by prosecutors.
Adam Gordon, a U.S. attorney, emphasized that the conduct carried federal consequences.
“Federal crime. Federal consequences,” Adam Gordon said in a statement.
The case demonstrates how conduct involving protected marine mammals can result in federal prosecution, even when the incident occurs in a public coastal area and involves a misdemeanor charge.
Potential Penalties and Sentencing
Under the terms described by prosecutors, Muehl faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. The court is expected to sentence him on Oct. 20, 2026. The final punishment will be determined by the federal court after considering the offense and the applicable sentencing factors.
Muehl pleaded guilty rather than contesting the video evidence. His attorney was contacted for comment, but no response was included in the available account. The charge is a misdemeanor under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, not a state assault case.
Officials Warn Against Wildlife Harassment
Marine officials said intentional physical contact with a sea lion can threaten the animal’s welfare and create risks for people nearby. Eric Morgan, an official with NOAA, said striking or kicking a marine mammal is illegal and dangerous. The warning applies to members of the public who encounter sea lions resting on shorelines, seawalls or beaches.
“Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal, it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal,” Eric Morgan said.
The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also responded after the footage spread online. In a social media post, the group urged people to leave wildlife alone and speak up when they witness abuse.
“Assault is ASSAULT, no matter the species,” the group wrote. “Leave animals ALONE, and always speak up when you witness abuse.”
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Muehl pleaded guilty to harassing a sea lion in San Diego. |
| 2 | The July 22 attack was recorded and circulated widely online. |
| 3 | The case was investigated by NOAA under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. |
| 4 | Muehl faces up to one year in prison and $100,000 in fines. |
Summary
The guilty plea follows a video-recorded attack in which a California teenager kicked and chased a sea lion. Federal authorities treated the conduct as a violation of protections for marine mammals, and sentencing is scheduled for October. Officials continue to warn the public not to approach, strike or harass wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Tyler Muehl plead guilty to?
He pleaded guilty in federal court to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition on harassing wildlife.
When and where did the attack occur?
The incident occurred on July 22 in La Jolla, a coastal neighborhood of San Diego, while the sea lion was sitting on a seawall.
What penalties does Muehl face?
He faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. His sentencing is expected on Oct. 20, 2026.