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

An 18-year-old from La Jolla, California, has pleaded guilty to repeatedly kicking a sea lion in the face and chasing it as it tried to flee, after video of the attack went viral online. Tyler Muehl admitted the misdemeanour offence of harassing wildlife under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act in a federal court on Friday, in a case investigated by America's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Prosecutors said the assault, carried out while impersonating the UFC fighter Max Holloway, endangered the animal's wellbeing and prompted a strong public backlash, including condemnation from the animal rights group PETA.

According to the Department of Justice, Muehl approached the sea lion on 22 July as it sat peacefully on a seawall in La Jolla, squared up as if preparing to fight, and kicked it four times, causing it to rear and flinch before it stumbled while attempting to escape and was pursued further. As part of his plea deal, he acknowledged the video was an accurate record of events. He faces up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, with sentencing due on 20 October.