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Attorney for man accused of throwing rock at endangered Hawaiian monk seal says client was protecting turtles
Federal prosecutors say the visitor faces up to one year in prison and a $50,000 fine for harassing an endangered monk seal.
- Federal officials charged Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, with harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal after he allegedly hurled a coconut-sized rock at the animal in Lahaina on May 5.
- Defense attorney Myles Breiner claimed Lytvynchuk mistook the seal for a threat to nearby turtles, though witnesses reported he told them he was "rich enough to pay the fines" when confronted about the incident.
- Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered, with only about 1,600 remaining in the wild. The viral video sparked global condemnation and drew international attention to the species' vulnerability.
- Lytvynchuk is scheduled to enter a plea in Honolulu on May 27 and faces up to $70,000 in fines. Enraged locals tracked him down and assaulted him, leaving welts across his back and shoulders.
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Attorney for man accused of throwing rock at endangered Hawaiian monk seal says client was protecting turtles
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk's attorney says the Washington businessman never intended to injure the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, claiming he was protecting sea turtles.
·New York, United States
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Dude thought he could get away with abusing a seal because he was rich, but the DOJ had different plans for him
Watch Louder with Crowder every weekday at 11:00 AM Eastern, only on Rumble Premium! NEW: Tourist who threw a rock at a seal in Hawaii because he was “rich” enough to pay any fines has been arrested by federal agents. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, was arrested for throwing a massive rock at Lani the seal....
Man who reportedly said 'I'm rich' when caught throwing rock at endangered seal attempts to justify the attack
A tourist who was filmed throwing a rock at a seal in Hawaii has attempted to justify his actions. The man, who was confronted by locals after he was caught...
·Auckland, New Zealand
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left0Leaning Right5Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Right
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Right
62% Right
C 38%
R 62%
Factuality
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