California teen faces prison after viral video shows him squaring up, repeatedly kicking sea lion in the face

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A California teen pleaded blameworthy Friday to repeatedly kicking a oversea lion successful the look and chasing the carnal arsenic it tried to escape, according to video of the attack.

Tyler Muehl, 18, who lives successful the San Diego seaside vicinity of La Jolla, entered his plea successful a national courtroom to a misdemeanor usurpation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition connected harassing wildlife, the Justice Department said.

"Federal crime. Federal consequences," U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon wrote successful a statement.

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Tyle Muehl seen attacjing a oversea lion.

Tyler Muehl, 18, repeatedly kicked a oversea lion successful the look earlier chasing the carnal successful San Diego, the Justice Department said. (KTTV)

The incidental was investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Muehl admitted to kicking the oversea lion connected July 22 arsenic the mammal was peacefully sitting connected a seawall, national prosecutors said.

"Intentionally striking oregon kicking a marine mammal is not lone illegal, it is unsafe for the well-being of the animal," said NOAA authoritative Eric Morgan.

The teen approached the carnal with his hands squared up arsenic if helium were preparing to fight, authorities said. As helium made his approach, Muehl referred to himself arsenic Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) combatant Max Holloway.

He past kicked the carnal 4 times, "which caused the oversea lion to rear, flinch and instantly recoil," prosecutors said.

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Tyler Muehl, 18, attacks a oversea lion successful San Diego July 22. He pleaded blameworthy Friday to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition connected harassment of wildlife. (KTTV)

"After the 2nd kick, the oversea lion turned and tried to flee, but Muehl chased aft the carnal and kicked astatine it a 3rd time," a DOJ quality merchandise states. "As the oversea lion tried to get away, it stumbled connected the oversea partition arsenic it fled."

Officials said the teen kicked the oversea lion again and chased it until the carnal made its escape.

As portion of his plea agreement, Muehl said the video, which went viral online, was a "fair and close signaling of what occurred."

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) commented connected the incidental connected its societal media accounts.

"Assault is ASSAULT, nary substance the species," the radical wrote connected X successful a July 24 post. "Leave animals ALONE, and ever talk up erstwhile you witnesser abuse."