A King County man is now facing federal charges after investigators say he threw a large rock toward an endangered Hawaiian monk seal off the coast of Maui.
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 37, of Covington, was charged with taking and attempting to take an endangered species and marine mammal during an incident near Lahaina on May 5, according to a criminal complaint in Hawaii federal court.
The case stems from an incident that quickly spread online after witnesses recorded video appearing to show a man throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal swimming near the shoreline.
Witnesses reported seeing a man standing near the seal before allegedly throwing a rock “the size of a coconut” directly toward the animal’s head.
Investigators said the cellphone video showed the seal abruptly changing direction after the rock landed in the water near its head.
The seal then appeared to stop playing and remained largely motionless on a reef for an extended period, according to witness statements included in the complaint.
One witness told investigators the seal was “clearly not aggressive” before the incident. Another witness said they became concerned the animal may have been injured because it stopped moving for so long afterward, according to the affidavit.
Witnesses also alleged the man said he was “rich enough to pay the fines” after being confronted about the incident, according to court documents.
Authorities identified Lytvynchuk using witness descriptions, video footage, and a comparison with his Washington state driver’s license photo, investigators said. Court documents state he was vacationing in Maui at the time and staying in Lahaina.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Lytvynchuk declined to make a statement and requested an attorney.
Hawaiian monk seals are considered endangered and are protected under both the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Federal investigators said the alleged actions disrupted the seal’s normal behavior and amounted to an illegal “take” under federal law.
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