LOS ANGELES (AP) — A fisherman accused of stabbing a sea lion with a steak knife after the animal stole his bait was charged Thursday with violating the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Hai Nguyen, 24, faces a misdemeanor count of illegally taking and attempting to kill a marine mammal, the U.S. attorney's office said. If convicted he faces up to a year in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Nguyen was arrested July 27 in Newport Beach. Police said he was fishing off a pier when the sea lion, a 6-foot female weighing about 150 pounds, apparently snatched the bait from his fishing pole.
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Authorities said he stabbed the sea lion with the knife. The animal was severely wounded and was later euthanized.