Lawyer Says Tourist Accused of Hurling Rock at Hawaiian Monk Seal Has Been Doxed and Threatened
Federal prosecutors say the rock missed the seal but caused it to change course, and the species has about 1,600 left in the wild.
- Federal prosecutors charged Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, a 38-year-old Washington resident, with taking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal on May 5 by allegedly throwing a large rock at the seal's head. He is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Honolulu on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom A. Trader.
- Mobile phone footage recorded by two witnesses on May 5 shortly after 10:30 a.m. shows Lytvynchuk holding a large rock before aiming and throwing it directly at the monk seal, according to federal court records. The rock, described as coconut-sized, narrowly missed the seal's head but caused it to rear up and turn in the opposite direction.
- Only 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals remain in the wild after being listed as endangered in 1976. Scientists identified the targeted seal as adult male R404. If convicted, Lytvynchuk faces up to one year in prison per charge and combined fines of up to $100,000 under federal wildlife protection laws.
- Defense attorney Myles Breiner claims Lytvynchuk mistook the seal for an aggressive sea lion and intended to protect sea turtles, while U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said the charges demonstrate commitment to protecting Hawaii's endangered wildlife from illegal harassment.
- Senator Brian Schatz called for NOAA to enhance public education about protecting Hawaiian monk seals following the incident. NOAA recommends maintaining at least 50 feet from seals resting on shore and at least 150 feet from nursing mothers.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Covington man accused of throwing rock at Hawaiian monk seal banned from Hawaii beaches
The Covington man accused of hurling a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal faced a federal judge in Honolulu Wednesday. Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, pleaded not guilty to charges of harassing and attempting to harass a protected animal. “He was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond,” Aislinn Affinito, Chief of Major Crimes at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii, stated. “As part of his conditions of release, he is pro…
Washington tourist pleads not guilty in Hawaiian monk seal rock case, barred from Hawaii beaches
A tourist from Washington state pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges accusing him of hurling a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal and was ordered to stay away from Hawaii beaches.
Suspect in viral monk seal harassment video says he was doxxed as federal court fight begins
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, accused of hurling a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui, faces a federal court hearing. His lawyer says he never intended to harm it.
“Please Feel Bad for Me” Pleads Tourist Who Threw Rocks at Endangered Seal in Hawaii
Truly, there is no form of backpedaling on Earth that has quite the velocity, or inherent amusement, of the everyday idiot who just became an internet pariah because they were caught on tape doing something viciously stupid or cruel, and are now attempting to form-fit a new narrative that casts themselves as the secretly noble party. What rationale, for instance, would you expect a person to employ after being caught on video hurling coconut-siz…
Straight Arrow News
ussanews.comRock-hurling tourist facing jail time under multiple state and federal endangered species laws
A tourist who was visiting Hawaii earlier this month is expected in court on Wednesday after federal officials charged him with harassing and attempting to harass a protected animal. Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, was charged after he was caught on video throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui, barely missing its head. Video of the incident circulated online, sparking outrage and, according to Lytvynchuk’s lawyers, death threats, doxi…
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