An 18-year-old from La Jolla, California, named Tyler Muehl, pleaded guilty on August 14 to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act for kicking a sea lion. The incident, which occurred on July 22, was captured on video and showed Muehl approaching the sea lion and kicking it multiple times while it was on a seawall. Muehl admitted that the video accurately depicted the events. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) investigated the incident, and NOAA official Eric Morgan stated that such actions are illegal and harmful to marine mammals. Muehl faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and fines up to $100,000, with sentencing scheduled for October 20.
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California Teen Pleads Guilty to Kicking Sea Lion, Faces Prison Time
Tyler Muehl, an 18-year-old from La Jolla, California, pleaded guilty to kicking a sea lion, violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The incident, which was recorded and went viral, resulted in Muehl facing potential prison time and significant fines, with sentencing set for October 20.
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California teen faces prison after viral video shows him squaring up, repeatedly kicking sea lion in the face
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California Teen Pleads Guilty to Kicking Sea Lion, Faces Prison Time