An 18-year-old California man has pleaded guilty to a federal crime for kicking a sea lion in a video that went viral, while referring to himself by the name of a UFC champion.
Tyler Muehl, of San Diego's La Jolla neighborhood, faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine after admitting he violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act, federal prosecutors said in a statement.
According to court documents, Muehl admitted to repeatedly kicking a protected sea lion that was peacefully sitting on a wall in La Jolla Cove on the night of July 22, 2026. He approached the animal with his hands up as if readying to fight, and referred to himself by the name of former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.
Prosecutors said Muehl kicked the sea lion four times. He twice kicked the creature's face, causing it to "rear, flinch and immediately recoil" and prompting it to try to flee. Muehl then chased the sea lion and kicked it a third time as it stumbled on the wall. After a fourth kick, the sea lion managed to escape over the sea wall and onto an adjacent beach.
The video of the attack circulated on social media, and Muehl agreed in court that the footage was "a fair and accurate recording of what occurred."
Muehl was charged on October 26, which marked the first time he was publicly identified in connection with the video. He pleaded guilty at his arraignment that same day, and his sentencing was scheduled for October 20. He was allowed to remain out of custody pending sentencing, but was ordered to abstain from alcohol and marijuana.
After Muehl's guilty plea, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Adam Gordon said, "Federal crime. Federal consequences." Eric Morgan of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) fisheries office said the agency "takes all violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act very seriously." He added, "Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal – it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal."
NOAA guidelines advise people viewing sea lions, seals, and other protected species to remain at least 150 feet (46 meters) away.