La Jolla Man Pleads Guilty to Harassing Sea Lion
An 18-year-old La Jolla man, Tyler Muehl, pleaded guilty to harassing a sea lion at La Jolla Cove. The incident, captured on video, involved Muehl repeatedly kicking the animal. He admitted to the actions in a plea agreement, and faces…
San Diego, CA, August 13, 2026 —
LA JOLLA – An 18-year-old resident of La Jolla, identified as Tyler Muehl, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the harassment of a sea lion at the popular La Jolla Cove. The incident, which was documented by video, showed Muehl repeatedly kicking the marine mammal.
Muehl admitted to his involvement in the actions as part of a plea agreement. He is scheduled to face sentencing for his violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act, enacted in 1972, aims to protect all marine mammals within the waters of the United States. The Act prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals. This includes harassing, hunting, capturing, or killing of marine mammals.
Further details regarding the date of the incident or the specific sentencing date were not immediately available. The legal proceedings will continue as Muehl awaits his sentencing hearing.
Story summarized from the original created by Dorian Hargrove • Times of San Diego on timesofsandiego.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
