A 38-year old Washington man is facing federal criminal charges for throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal known as “Lani” in Lahaina May 5.

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Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Wash., was charged by criminal complaint Tuesday, for harassing and attempting to harass a Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at the seal’s head in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, U.S. Attorney in Hawaii Ken Sorenson announced Wednesday.

Lytvynchuk was arrested Wednesday near Seattle by special agents of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, according to the Department of Justice.

He is in custody and is scheduled for an initial appearance today in U.S.District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle.

Lytvynchuk was “observed and filmed” on May 5 walking along the shoreline in Lahaina tracking the movements of the Hawaiian monk seal “Lani” as she playfully pushed a floating log close to the shoreline, according to the criminal complaint. Lytvynchuk then picked up a “large rock, took aim, and threw the rock directly at Lani’s head.”

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The rock narrowly missed her nose, startling her, and causing her to rear up out of the water, according to the complaint. Witnesses confronted Lytvynchuk and told him that they had called law enforcement. Lytvynchuk told the witnesses that he was “rich enough to pay the fines,” and walked away, the complaint says.

“The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani,” said Sorenson in a statement. “We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court.”

If convicted, Lytvynchuk faces up to a year in prison for each charge, a fine of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act, a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and a term of supervised release.

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