An 18-year-old La Jolla man pleaded guilty to repeatedly kicking a sea lion that was perched on a seawall at La Jolla Cove in July. The attack was caught on video and went viral, prompting an investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Nearly two months after the brazen assault, 18-year-old Tyler Muehl pleaded guilty, admitting he was the man in the video.
“National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement takes all violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act very seriously,” said NOAA-Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement West Coast Division Assistant Director Eric Morgan in a Thursday statement. “Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal—it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal.”
Federal prosecutors say Muehl admitted to kicking the sea lion as it sat on the wall at night on July 22 near Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Muehl said, according to the plea agreement, that he first went to the sea lion acting as if the two were in a fight.
As he approached the sea lion, Muehl kicked the sea lion twice in the head. As the sea lion tried to retreat, Muehle kicked the sea lion a third time, and thrust a fourth kick as the sea lion retreated over the wall.
Federal prosecutors say Muehl pleaded guilty to “knowingly and unlawfully tak[ing] a marine mammal in waters or on lands under the jurisdiction of the United States in that he did harass and hunt” the sea lion.
After video of the attack went viral, local leaders, including Mayor Todd Gloria and Council President Joe LaCava, immediately responded. In a joint statement, they called the incident “disturbing and unacceptable.”
On Thursday, Gloria, in another statement, 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.”
Muehl is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Oct. 20. The maximum penalty for violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act is one year and a fine of up to $100,000.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Updated 8:45 p.m. Aug. 13, 2026
