Teenager Faces Consequences for Attacking Sea Lion in La Jolla

An affluent teenager from La Jolla, California, is now dealing with the repercussions of his actions after a disturbing incident involving a sea lion.

Tyler Mule, 18, entered a guilty plea on Thursday in federal court, having violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This followed the surfacing of a video showing him chasing and kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Inlet, which quickly gained attention online.

La Jolla is known for its wealth, with its neighborhood ranking among the richest in San Diego County. Here, the median home prices range from about $2.3 million to $2.9 million, and the average household income is upwards of $210,000.

On July 22, prosecutors disclosed that Mule had conducted a disturbing attack on a sea lion that was resting peacefully on a seawall. He approached the animal near Ellen Browning Scripps Park, raising his hands as if gearing up for a fight.

Interestingly, Mule even likened himself to “Max Holloway,” a fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Then, he started kicking the sea lion.

In his plea agreement, Mule acknowledged that he kicked the animal four times and made contact during those instances. On two occasions, he struck the sea lion hard enough in the face to make it back away, prompting the animal to attempt escape.

After the second kick, the sea lion ran, but Mule pursued it. As the animal stumbled over the seawall, Mule kicked again, and the sea lion fled onto the beach.

The teenager admitted that a video of the incident provided a true account of his actions. U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon emphasized the seriousness of this federal crime, noting, “It affects the federal government.”

The video, which was initially shared on Snapchat, ignited a federal investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Eric Morgan, deputy director of NOAA’s Fisheries Law Enforcement Division, stated the agency takes violations of this nature very seriously, underscoring that intentional harm to marine mammals can pose significant risks to their health.

Mule pleaded guilty to actions deemed illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which covers harassment and other forms of harm to marine life. This misdemeanor could result in a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Sentencing is set for October 20, where Mule will discover the consequences of his actions, under the judgment of Federal Judge Jill L. Burkhardt.