SAN DIEGO — An 18-year-old resident of La Jolla, California, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges stemming from a viral video that captured him repeatedly kicking and chasing a protected California sea lion along a public seawall.
Tyler Muehl entered a guilty plea in San Diego before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Muehl admitted to a federal misdemeanor count of violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act following an investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement. The charge stems from a late-night incident on July 22, 2026, near Ellen Browning Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove, where Muehl approached a resting sea lion, mimicked a professional fighter, and physically struck the animal multiple times as it attempted to escape.
Federal officials noted that the encounter was captured on video by an associate and quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing public outcry and triggering a swift federal response. Muehl now faces a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison and up to a $100,000 fine at his formal sentencing hearing scheduled for October 20, 2026.
UFC
Performance Captured on Viral Video
According to federal court records and plea documents filed by federal prosecutors, Muehl approached the resting sea lion with his hands raised in a high guard boxing stance while explicitly calling himself "Max Holloway," referencing the well-known Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) martial artist.
Muehl admitted in his plea agreement that he launched four distinct kicks toward the animal while it sat peacefully on the concrete seawall. Two of the kicks connected near the sea lion's head and facial area, forcing the mammal to flinch and recoil in distress. When the sea lion turned to flee, court documents state Muehl pursued the animal, kicking at it two more times as the creature stumbled over the edge of the seawall while attempting to reach safety on the beach below.
Audible laughter from individuals recording the incident accompanied the physical assault in the original footage. As part of his formal plea agreement, Muehl acknowledged that the circulating video recording accurately portrayed the events that transpired that evening.
Federal Officials and Local Leaders Emphasize Wildlife Protection
Federal law enforcement authorities and local civic leaders issued strong statements reiterating that harming marine life carries immediate legal repercussions. Passed in 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act strictly prohibits the hunting, capturing, harassing, or killing of wild marine mammals—including seals and sea lions—without explicit federal authorization.
Addressing the resolution of the plea hearing, U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon underlined the direct legal severity of the offense.
“Federal crime. Federal consequences,” Gordon stated succinctly following the court proceedings."
Representatives from NOAA’s Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement stressed that physical contact with coastal animals creates severe welfare concerns for protected species and safety hazards for the public.
“National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement takes all violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act very seriously,” said Eric Morgan, Assistant Director of the NOAA-Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement West Coast Division. “Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal—it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal."
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also weighed in on the resolution of the case, emphasizing the need for public accountability along California's scenic shoreline.
“What happened at Point La Jolla was unacceptable, and I said then that there needed to be accountability,” Mayor Gloria said. “Today's guilty plea makes clear that harming or harassing our marine wildlife has serious consequences. I appreciate our federal partners for taking this case seriously. Our coastline belongs to all of us, and protecting its wildlife requires everyone to respect these animals, keep a safe distance and follow the law."
Ongoing Wildlife Management Challenges at La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove serves as one of Southern California's most popular haul-out sites for wild California sea lions and Pacific harbor seals. Because the animals routinely rest on public rocks, beaches, and artificial barriers, federal agencies recommend that visitors maintain a distance of at least 50 feet (15 meters) to ensure human safety and avoid altering natural animal behaviors.
Local docents and conservation groups, such as the Seal Society, monitor the cove daily to educate tourists and remind visitors to keep back. While animal advocates expressed disappointment over the incident, community observers noted that the widespread circulation of the video brought much-needed national attention to wildlife harassment enforcement along public beaches.
What's Next
Muehl remains out of custody pending his scheduled sentencing on October 20, 2026, before a federal judge in San Diego. The court will evaluate pre-sentence investigation reports before imposing a final judgment, which could range from probation and community service to a maximum penalty of twelve months in federal custody and a $100,000 fine.
NOAA authorities continue to encourage community members to report any observed harassment or illegal feeding of marine wildlife to the national NOAA Enforcement Hotline.