In the now-viral video that sparked outrage on several social media outlets, a young man is seen kicking a California sea lion on the sidewalk barrier at Point La Jolla in La Jolla Cove at night, chasing the sea lion as others are heard laughing.

According to his plea agreement, Muehl admitted that late in the evening on July 22, he repeatedly kicked at the sea lion on the sea wall in La Jolla Cove near Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Muehl approached the animal with his hands at high guard as if preparing to box with or fight the animal, referring to himself as “Max Holloway,” an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter.

Sea lions are a protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, implemented by NOAA Fisheries; under the law, harassment of sea lions, meaning “any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance,” is subject to federal prosecution, among other penalties.

“National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement takes all violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act very seriously,” NOAA-Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement West Coast Division Assistant Director Eric Morgan said in a press release from the US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California. “Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal — it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal.” 

Muehl admitted that he kicked at the sea lion four different times, making contact, according to the press release. 

Muehl agreed as part of his plea agreement that a video capturing the event was a fair and accurate recording of what occurred.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by US Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt on Oct 20; the maximum penalty is one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

“Federal crime. Federal consequences,” said US Attorney Adam Gordon.