NewsWFLA News Channel 8August 14, 2026Hillsborough
18-year-old pleads guilty to harassing sea lion in San Diego
An 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act after a viral video showed him kicking a sea lion on a San Diego sea wall. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the plea, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8Why It Matters
The case highlights federal enforcement of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits the harassment of protected marine animals, with sentencing set for October 20.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
locationSan Diego“Site of the incident”personEric Morgan“NOAA-Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement official”organizationNOAA-Fisheries“Enforces the Marine Mammal Protection Act”personTyler Muehl“18-year-old who pleaded guilty to harassing a sea lion”organizationU.S. Department of Justice“Announced the guilty plea”