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A San Diego man pleaded guilty to a federal charge after being caught on video kicking and chasing a sea lion at a local beach.
Tyler Muehl, an 18-year-old from the exclusive La Jolla neighborhood, pleaded guilty Thursday to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act, after repeatedly kicking the animal on July 22 while it tried to get away at La Jolla Cove beach, federal prosecutor Adam Gordon reported in a statement.
In the video, which went viral, Muehl appears kicking the sea lion, which was on a retaining wall, while at least one other person can be heard laughing in the background. Muehl follows the sea lion and kicks it more as the animal tries to scurry away before the video ends.
Muehl admitted that he attempted to kick the sea lion four times and that at least two kicks struck the animal, federal prosecutors noted.
As part of his plea deal, Muehl also acknowledged that the video that captured the attack was an accurate and faithful record of what occurred, they indicated.
Guidelines from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) state that people should stay at least 15 meters (50 feet) away from sea lions, seals, and other species protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
"Intentionally hitting or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal, but it is dangerous to the animal’s well-being," stated Eric Morgan, an official with the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, West Coast Division, which investigated the case.
Muehl faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine when he is sentenced on October 20.
[Publicidad]