LAHAINA, Hawaii — A rock. A beloved endangered seal. And a response so arrogant it went almost as viral as the video itself.
A 38-year-old man from Covington, Washington, is now facing federal criminal charges after footage captured him throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal on a Maui beach earlier this month — and then telling witnesses he was “rich enough to pay the fines.”
The incident, which took place on May 5 on a beach in the Lahaina area of Maui, has sparked widespread outrage across the country.
What the Video Shows
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Hawaii, the viral video clearly shows Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk hurling a rock at Lani, a well-known and beloved endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
The rock narrowly missed Lani’s nose.
The near-miss startled her badly enough that she reared up out of the water. After the incident, witnesses reported that Lani remained stationary on the beach for an extended period, raising serious concerns about her condition.
Witnesses Confronted Him — His Response Made It Worse
Bystanders on the beach did not stay silent. They immediately confronted Lytvynchuk and told him they had already contacted law enforcement.
His response, according to the criminal complaint, was stunning.
Lytvynchuk allegedly told them he was “rich enough to pay the fines” — then turned and walked away.
That response, captured in witness accounts, has fueled much of the public fury surrounding the case.
Arrested Near Seattle, Charged Under Federal Law
Lytvynchuk did not stay out of reach for long.
On May 13, just eight days after the incident, Special Agents from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration arrested him near Seattle, Washington.
He was charged by criminal complaint on May 12 with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal — violations of both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
What He Now Faces
The charges carry serious consequences.
If convicted, Lytvynchuk faces up to one year in federal prison for each charge, along with a term of supervised release. He also faces a fine of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and an additional fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson made clear that cases like this will not be handled lightly.
“The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world,” Sorenson said, adding that those who harass protected wildlife “will face rapid accountability in federal court.”
Why Monk Seals Matter
Hawaiian monk seals are one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, with fewer than 1,600 remaining. They are found almost exclusively in the Hawaiian Islands and are protected under both federal laws Lytvynchuk now stands accused of violating.
Lani is not just any seal — she is a recognized individual, known and monitored by wildlife officials and locals in the Lahaina area.
Do you think the charges are strong enough, or should cases like this carry even harsher penalties? Share your thoughts in the comments — this conversation matters.
