An 18-year-old resident of La Jolla has pleaded guilty to federal misdemeanor charges after admitting he repeatedly kicked a California sea lion at La Jolla Cove in a late-night incident that sparked widespread online outrage, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. Tyler Muehl entered his guilty plea to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act, acknowledging that he targeted the resting animal multiple times while comparing himself to a professional fighter during the assault.
The case drew intense scrutiny from federal investigators, local officials, and social media users after video footage of the July 22, 2026, encounter circulated widely on Snapchat and Instagram.
“What happened at Point La Jolla was unacceptable, and I said then that there needed to be accountability,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said in a public statement following the plea. “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.”
Federal Charges and Details of the Late-Night Attack
According to court documents and news releases issued by the U.S.
Prosecutors revealed that during the course of the assault, Muehl referred to himself as UFC fighter Max Holloway. The video recording captured by onlookers quickly migrated from Snapchat to Instagram, triggering an influx of online tips and drawing the attention of self-appointed internet sleuths who sought to identify the perpetrator before law enforcement stepped in.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement launched a federal probe into the incident, though authorities did not publicly detail how they ultimately pinned the suspect down. Assistant Director Eric Morgan of the NOAA-Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement West Coast Division emphasized the severity of the offense.
“Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal—it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal,” Morgan said in a statement reported by KGTV 10News.
Legal Penalties and Sentencing Timeline
Under the terms of the Marine Mammal Protection Act misdemeanor charge, Muehl faces a statutory maximum penalty of one year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000, as detailed by NBC 7 San Diego. However, because prosecutors and the defense reached a plea agreement, legal experts anticipate a less severe sentence when the defendant returns to court.
Muehl is scheduled to appear before a federal judge for formal sentencing on October 20, 2026. The case underscores an ongoing local tension at La Jolla Cove, where large colonies of California sea lions frequently share shoreline access with dense crowds of tourists and residents, often leading to friction over wildlife protection laws and public boundaries.
Federal and local agencies continue to urge beachgoers to maintain a safe distance from marine wildlife. Anyone who witnesses potential harassment or illegal contact with protected animals can contact the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964 to report the activity.