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

A California teenager pleaded guilty Friday to repeatedly kicking a sea lion in the face and chasing the animal as it tried to escape, according to video of the attack.

Tyler Muehl, 18, who lives in the San Diego seaside neighborhood of La Jolla, entered his plea in a federal courtroom to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition on harassing wildlife, the Justice Department said.

"Federal crime. Federal consequences," U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon wrote in a statement.

SUSPECT IN VIRAL MONK SEAL HARASSMENT VIDEO SAYS HE WAS DOXXED AS FEDERAL COURT FIGHT BEGINS

The incident was investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Muehl admitted to kicking the sea lion on July 22 as the mammal was peacefully sitting on a seawall, federal prosecutors said.

"Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal, it is da...