August 16, 2026 – SAN DIEGO, CA – Tyler Muehl, an 18-year-old from La Jolla who appeared in a viral video repeatedly kicking at a California sea lion in La Jolla Cove, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday, August 13, 2026, to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition on harassment of wildlife.

“Federal crime. Federal consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

“National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement takes all violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act very seriously,” said NOAA-Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement West Coast Division Assistant Director Eric Morgan. “Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal—it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal.”

According to his plea agreement, Muehl admitted that late in the evening on July 22, 2026, he repeatedly kicked at the sea lion that was peacefully sitting on the sea wall in La Jolla Cove near Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Muehl approached the animal with his hands at high guard as if preparing to box with or fight the animal.  As Muehl approached, he referred to himself as “Max Holloway,” the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter. 

The defendant admitted that he kicked at the sea lion four different times and that he made contact while kicking at the animal. Muehl twice forcefully kicked at the sea lion’s face, which caused the sea lion to rear flinch and immediately recoil. After the second kick, the sea lion turned and tried to flee, but Muehl chased after the animal and kicked at it a third time. As the sea lion tried to get away, it stumbled on the sea wall as it fled. Muehl kicked at the sea lion a fourth time and continued to chase the animal, ending his pursuit only when the sea lion escaped over the sea wall and made it to the beach. Muehl agreed as part of his plea agreement that a video capturing the event was a fair and accurate recording of what occurred.

Muehl pleaded guilty to the charge of “knowingly and unlawfully tak[ing] a marine mammal in waters or on lands under the jurisdiction of the United States in that he did harass and hunt” a California sea lion (Zalphus californianus).  Under the Marine Mammal protection Act, the word “take” includes harassment, which means “any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which: (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.”

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt on October 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Allen and Elizabet Brown from the Southern District of California.

DEFENDANT                         Case Number 26CR3151-JO-JLB                           

Tyler Muehl                           Age: 18                             La Jolla, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (misdemeanor) – Title 16, U.S.C., Sections 1372(a)(2)(A) and 1375(b)

Maximum penalty: One year in prison and $100,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Source: DOJ Release