San Diego man pleads guilty to kicking protected sea lion in an attack caught on video

A viral video showed 18-year-old Tyler Muehl kicking and chasing a sea lion at La Jolla Cove; he admitted to landing at least two kicks.
He pleaded guilty to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act and faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine; sentencing is Oct. 20.
NOAA — which investigated the case — reminds people to stay at least 50 feet from sea lions and says intentionally striking them is illegal and harmful.