California teen pleads guilty to kicking sea lion in viral video
An 18-year-old San Diego man has pleaded guilty to a federal crime after repeatedly kicking a sea lion in La Jolla in footage that went viral online.
Tyler Muehl, 18, of San Diego's La Jolla neighborhood, has pleaded guilty to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act after admitting he kicked a wild sea lion multiple times in an incident that was filmed and later spread widely on social media. He faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
According to court documents, the incident happened on the night of 22 July 2026 near Ellen Browning Scripps Park, where the sea lion was sitting peacefully on a wall. Muehl approached the animal with his hands raised as if preparing to fight, referring to himself by the name of former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway before attacking.
Prosecutors said Muehl kicked the sea lion in the face twice, causing it to flinch and try to flee. When the animal stumbled while attempting to escape, he kicked it two more times while chasing it, until it finally got over the sea wall and reached an adjacent beach.
Video of the attack surfaced online days later and quickly circulated widely. In court, Muehl acknowledged the footage was a fair and accurate depiction of what happened. He was formally charged on Thursday and pleaded guilty at his arraignment the same day. Sentencing is tentatively set for 20 October before US Magistrate Judge Jill L Burkhardt. He may remain free until then but has been ordered to abstain from alcohol and marijuana.
US Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement that federal crimes carry federal consequences. Eric Morgan of NOAA's fisheries law enforcement office said intentionally striking a marine mammal is both illegal and dangerous to the animal's welfare. NOAA guidelines advise the public to stay at least 150ft (46 metres) away from sea lions, seals and other protected marine species.
