Washington Man, 38, Charged After Throwing Rock at Endangered Maui Monk Seal
Updated
Updated · Honolulu Star-Advertiser · May 14
Washington Man, 38, Charged After Throwing Rock at Endangered Maui Monk Seal
11 articles · Updated · Honolulu Star-Advertiser · May 14
Federal prosecutors charged Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, after arresting him near Seattle over a May 5 incident involving the endangered Hawaiian monk seal known as Lani on a Lahaina beach.
Witness video cited in the criminal complaint showed Lytvynchuk tracking the seal along the shoreline, then throwing a large rock directly at her head; it narrowly missed, startled her and drew confrontations from bystanders.
Lytvynchuk allegedly told witnesses he was "rich enough to pay the fines" before walking away. He is due for an initial appearance Thursday at 9 a.m. in federal court in Seattle.
Each charge carries up to 1 year in prison, with potential fines of $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as federal officials vowed quick enforcement to protect Hawaiian monk seals.
Amid debates on wildlife law, will this viral attack on a rare seal become a landmark case?
When a suspect boasts he's 'rich enough' for fines, can our legal system truly protect endangered species?
A seal became a symbol of hope for a fire-ravaged town. What happens when that symbol is attacked?