Viral businessman who bragged about wealth slapped with federal charges in endangered species harassment case

A businessman caught connected a viral video saying helium was "rich enough" to debar the consequences of allegedly attacking a beloved endangered seal taxon successful Hawaii mightiness person to beryllium it aft helium was slapped with 2 national charges stemming from the incident.

Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, is suspected of tossing a stone astatine the caput of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal — 1 of the rarest marine mammals connected world — connected May 5 successful an incidental that was caught connected camera by locals.

Business records amusement that Lytvynchuk, who boasted astir his wealthiness erstwhile confronted astir his actions by aggravated passersby, owns a logistics and trucking institution based successful Kent, Washington.

Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, faces 2 national charges stemming from allegedly throwing a stone astatine the caput of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal connected May 5, 2026. (Department of Justice)

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"What are you doing? Why would you propulsion a stone astatine it? Hello?" a pistillate tin beryllium heard shouting successful the video arsenic the man, wearing a achromatic garment and aquatics trunks, lobbed a stone astatine the seal's caput connected a Maui shoreline.

The Hawaiian monk seal successful the video is called "Lani" by loving locals, according to a Department of Justice merchandise announcing the charges. There are lone astir 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals successful the wild.

Lytvynchuk has been charged with harassing and attempting to harass the endangered carnal successful usurpation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the DOJ. He was arrested adjacent Seattle connected Wednesday.

A Hawaiian monk seal rests connected the rocky enactment of Lehua Island adjacent Niihau, Hawaii. The species, Neomonachus schauinslandi, is endangered. (Andre Seale/VW PICS/Universal Images Group)

He could look up to a twelvemonth successful situation for some the harassment and attempted harassment charges, on with a $50,000 good nether the Endangered Species Act and a good of up to $20,000 nether the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

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"The stone narrowly missed her nose, startling her, and causing her to rear up retired of the water," the merchandise says. "According to witnesses, Lani remained mostly immobile for an extended play of clip aft the incident, which caused overmuch interest implicit her welfare."

Upon being confronted by the witnesses, Lytvynchuk dismissed their concerns, noting that helium was "rich capable to wage the fines" should helium get successful trouble.

Two Hawaiian monk seals aquatics successful the surf astatine Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge successful Hawaii. (Auscape/Universal Images Group)

"The unsocial and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s peculiar spot successful the satellite and its unthinkable biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our susceptible chaotic species, successful peculiar endangered Hawaiian monk seals, similar Lani," said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. "We pledge that those who harass and effort to harm our protected wildlife volition look accelerated accountability successful national court."  

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The video acceptable disconnected a societal media firestorm, and users rapidly identified the suspect, starring to calls for his arrest.

After his arrest, users celebrated.

"Karma doesn’t attraction however affluent you are," said connected X user.

"Let’s anticipation justness is served successful tribunal and this scumbag receives a important custodial sentence," said another.

It was not instantly wide if Lytvynchuk had an attorney.