Teenager Pleads Guilty to Violating Marine Mammal Protection Act by Kicking Sea Lion in La Jolla Cove
A teenager from La Jolla, Tyler Muehl, has pleaded guilty to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act by kicking a California sea lion in a viral video. The incident occurred at La Jolla Cove, where Muehl approached the sea lion and kicked it multiple times, causing the animal to flinch and flee. Muehl referred to himself as a UFC fighter during the encounter. He admitted to making contact with the sea lion during the kicks, which led to the animal trying to escape over the sea wall to the beach. The video capturing the event was deemed a fair and accurate representation of the incident.
Muehl pleaded guilty to knowingly and unlawfully harassing a marine mammal, specifically a California sea lion, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The act defines harassment as any action that has the potential to injure or disturb a marine mammal in the wild. Muehl is set to be sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt on October 20, 2026, at 9:30 am. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Allen and Elizabet Brown from the Southern District of California.
The charges against Muehl include a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which is classified as a misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for this offense is one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. The investigating agency in this case is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with Kelly Thornton serving as the Director of Media Relations.
In conclusion, Tyler Muehl's actions of kicking a California sea lion in La Jolla Cove have led to his guilty plea for violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The incident, captured in a viral video, resulted in the sea lion being harassed and fleeing from Muehl's repeated kicks. Muehl is awaiting sentencing for his misdemeanor charge, with a potential penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.