An 18-year-old California man has pleaded guilty to a federal crime after admitting he kicked a sea lion in a video that went viral, referring to himself by the name of a UFC competitor during the attack.
Tyler Muehl, from San Diego's La Jolla neighborhood, faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. He acknowledged in court on Thursday that he violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act's prohibition on harassment of wildlife, according to a statement from federal prosecutors.
Attack details
In court papers, Muehl conceded that he repeatedly kicked a protected sea lion that was sitting on a wall in La Jolla Cove near Ellen Browning Scripps Park on the night of 22 July 2026. He approached the animal with his hands up as if readying to fight, referring to himself by the name of former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.
Muehl confessed to kicking the sea lion four times. He twice kicked its face, causing it to “rear, flinch and immediately recoil” and prompting it to try to flee. He then chased the sea lion and kicked it a third time as it stumbled on the wall. After a fourth kick, the sea lion escaped by getting over the sea wall to an adjacent beach.
Legal proceedings
The video surfaced on social media days later, and Muehl agreed in court that the footage was “a fair and accurate recording of what occurred.” He was charged in a misdemeanor bill of information on Thursday and pleaded guilty at his arraignment. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled before US magistrate judge Jill L Burkhardt on the morning of 20 October.
Court minutes show Muehl could remain out of custody pending sentencing, and he was ordered to abstain from alcohol or marijuana.
Official response
US attorney for the southern district of California, Adam Gordon, said in a statement, “Federal crime. Federal consequences.”
Eric Morgan of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries office of law enforcement, which investigated Muehl, said the agency “takes all violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act very seriously.” He added, “Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal – it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal.”
The Guardian has emailed Muehl's listed attorney for comment. NOAA guidelines advise people viewing sea lions, seals, and other protected species to remain at least 150ft (46 meters) away.
