Trending Now - Tourist Facing Seal Assault Charges Claims Threats and Doxxing

WHO:

CBS News - Maui’s mayor, Richard Bissen, condemned Lytvynchuk’s actions, stating the monk seal is “not just a seal to us … [but a] part of our ocean ‘ohana in Lahaina.”

NBC News - Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, is the tourist accused of the crime.

NBC News - Myles Breiner is the defense attorney representing Lytvynchuk.

NBC News - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is involved in the investigation.

NBC News - Hawaii’s U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz commented on the incident.

WHAT:

NBC News - The video of Lytvynchuk throwing the rock drew widespread condemnation and demands for prosecution in Hawaii.

NBC News - Lytvynchuk is charged with violations of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

NBC News - Lytvynchuk is accused of throwing a rock that narrowly missed the seal's head, as described in a criminal complaint.

NBC News - A witness reported that Lytvynchuk stated he was "rich enough to pay any fines" when confronted about his actions.

NBC News - Lytvynchuk has faced death threats and doxing, including receiving a package at his home that contained what appeared to be feces.

NBC News - Lytvynchuk is accused of hurling a coconut-sized rock at a Hawaiian monk seal.

NBC News - He faces charges of harassing and attempting to harass a protected animal.

NBC News - If convicted, Lytvynchuk could face up to one year in prison for each charge and fines of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

CBS News - A witness recorded video evidence of Lytvynchuk throwing the rock at the seal.

NBC News - The seal involved is identified as an adult male known as “R404.”

WHERE:

NBC News - The incident occurred at a beach in Maui, Hawaii.

NBC News - Lytvynchuk is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Honolulu.

WHEN:

NBC News - Lytvynchuk is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

WHY:

NBC News - Breiner stated that Lytvynchuk is being treated unfairly because he is a "white outsider," noting that "the vast majority of attacks on monk seal and turtle are by locals."

NBC News - Lytvynchuk claims he was trying to protect sea turtles when he threw the rock.

NBC News - Breiner stated that Lytvynchuk thought the seal was an aggressive sea lion.

HOW:

NBC News - Lytvynchuk made arrangements to surrender in the Seattle area as special agents with NOAA were seeking to arrest him.

NBC News - Lytvynchuk declined to file a police report regarding the assault he experienced after the incident.

NBC News - Lytvynchuk made arrangements to surrender in the Seattle area after the incident.

NBC News - A state Department of Land and Natural Resources officer investigated the harassment report after receiving a witness account.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 01:34 UTC)

Maui’s mayor, Richard Bissen, has condemned the actions of Lytvynchuk, emphasizing that the monk seal is an integral part of the ocean community in Lahaina. The video showing Lytvynchuk throwing a rock at the seal has sparked widespread outrage and calls for prosecution, leading to charges against him for violating the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Lytvynchuk is currently making arrangements to surrender in the Seattle area as special agents with NOAA pursue his arrest.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 21:33 UTC)

Lytvynchuk is facing serious accusations after allegedly throwing a rock that narrowly missed a seal's head, as detailed in a criminal complaint. A witness claims Lytvynchuk remarked he was "rich enough to pay any fines" when confronted about his actions, and he has since received death threats and doxing, including a disturbing package delivered to his home. His attorney argues that Lytvynchuk is being treated unfairly due to being a "white outsider," emphasizing that most attacks on monk seals and turtles are committed by locals, while Lytvynchuk chose not to file a police report regarding the assault he endured after the incident.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 14:52 UTC)

Igor Lytvynchuk, a 38-year-old tourist from Covington, Washington, is facing charges for allegedly throwing a coconut-sized rock at a Hawaiian monk seal, identified as an adult male known as “R404,” at a beach in Maui. He is represented by defense attorney Myles Breiner and could face up to one year in prison and significant fines if convicted, with a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Honolulu. Lytvynchuk claims he believed the seal was an aggressive sea lion and that he was trying to protect sea turtles, while the investigation is being conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration following a witness's video evidence of the incident.