{"id":129,"date":"2026-05-15T14:06:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=129"},"modified":"2026-05-15T14:06:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:06:02","slug":"federal-agents-arrest-visitor-accused-of-throwing-rock-at-hawaiian-monk-seal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=129","title":{"rendered":"Federal agents arrest visitor accused of throwing rock at Hawaiian monk seal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Washington man has been charged after allegedly throwing a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal on Maui.<\/p>\n

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According to U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson, Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, was charged with violating the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii\u2019s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity,\u201d Sorenson said in a statement. \u201cWe are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular, endangered Hawaiian monk seals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video captured the incident, which happened May 5, in Lahaina. <\/p>\n

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Witnesses reportedly saw Lytvynchuk follow an endangered Hawaiian monk seal along the shoreline.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors allege Lytvynchuk was seen on camera as he picked up a large rock and threw it toward the seal\u2019s head, narrowly missing her.<\/p>\n

Witnesses reportedly confronted him and told him law enforcement had been contacted.<\/p>\n

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According to the U.S. attorney\u2019s office, Lytvynchuk told bystanders he was \u201crich enough to pay the fines\u201d before walking away, and witnesses reported that Lani remained largely immobile for an extended period after the incident.<\/p>\n

Lytvynchuk was arrested by special agents from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Wednesday, near Seattle.<\/p>\n

He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Thursday in Seattle federal court.<\/p>\n

If convicted, he faces up to one year in prison for each charge, along with possible fines totaling up to $70,000.<\/p>\n

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