US agents arrest tourist after video shows a rock hurled at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal’s head
Federal agents say the rock narrowly missed the seal’s head and the video drew widespread outrage, with fines reaching $70,000 possible.
- On Wednesday, federal agents arrested Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk near Seattle for allegedly throwing a rock at Lani, an endangered Hawaiian monk seal off a Maui beach.
- Prosecutors allege Lytvynchuk threw a coconut-sized rock at the seal in Lahaina on May 5, causing the animal to "abruptly alter its behavior," according to cellphone video.
- When witnesses confronted him, Lytvynchuk reportedly said he was "rich enough to pay the fines" before walking away, and Lani remained largely immobile after the incident.
- Lytvynchuk is scheduled for a District Court appearance Thursday, facing charges carrying up to one year in prison per count and potential fines totaling up to $70,000.
- With only 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals remaining in the wild, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said the charges send a clear message that cruelty toward protected wildlife will not be tolerated.
125 Articles
125 Articles
Seattle judge orders WA man back to Hawaiʻi, where prosecutors say he threw rock at monk seal
A Seattle judge on Thursday ordered a Covington man to return to court in Hawaii, where he faces federal charges for allegedly lobbing a coconut-sized rock at an endangered seal while vacationing earlier this month in Maui.Witnesses who confronted Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, last week for throwing a rock at “Lani,” a beloved Hawaiian monk seal, said he told them he did not care and that he was “rich” enough to pay any fines, prosecutors said Tuesday in…
Viral businessman who allegedly bragged about wealth charged in federal endangered species harassment case
Washington businessman Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, who said he was 'rich enough' to pay fines, faces federal charges for allegedly attacking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
A 38-year-old American tourist was arrested by federal agents after being filmed throwing a big rock at Lani&rdq...
Igor Lytvynchuk Arrested: 'Rich' Tourist Faces $70K Fine For Attacking Beloved Hawaii Monk Seal 'Lani'
Federal agents have arrested a Washington businessman who allegedly boasted that his personal wealth made him immune to the consequences of animal cruelty. The case has ignited international outrage and renewed scrutiny of wildlife protection laws in Hawaii. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, was taken into custody on 13 May after a viral video captured him hurling a 'coconut-sized rock' at the head of a critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal k…
Seattle man scheduled to return to islands on charges of attacking a Hawaiian monk seal
A Seattle man was released from custody after being charged with attacking a Hawaiian monk seal, but must return to Hawaii to appear in court and is not allowed to leave the country.
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