Rich Man’s Rock Attack Caught on Camera

A Washington state businessman who reportedly shouted “I’m rich” at beachgoers while allegedly hurling a rock at one of America’s most endangered marine mammals now faces federal charges — and the viral video evidence is hard to ignore.

Story Snapshot

Igor Lytvynchuk, 37, of Covington, Washington, faces federal charges for allegedly throwing a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal on May 5, 2026, in Lahaina, Maui.
A witness recorded video of the incident showing Lytvynchuk hurling a rock described as “the size of a coconut” toward the seal’s head.
Lytvynchuk allegedly shouted “I’m rich” at beachgoers who pleaded with him to stop, adding a brazen arrogance to the alleged wildlife crime.
A federal judge ordered Lytvynchuk released from custody but required him to return to Hawaii to face charges in court.

Caught on Camera in Lahaina

On May 5, 2026, local resident Kaylee Schnitzer recorded a video on a Lahaina, Maui beach that quickly went viral across social media. The footage allegedly shows Lytvynchuk throwing a rock described as “the size of a coconut” directly at the head of a Hawaiian monk seal swimming near shore. Maui Police and Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officers matched the suspect to witness descriptions and detained him shortly after the incident.

As bystanders pleaded with the man to stop, he reportedly responded by shouting “I’m rich,” dismissing their concerns entirely. Federal prosecutors identified the suspect as Igor Lytvynchuk, a 37-year-old businessman from Covington, Washington. The United States Attorney’s Office charged him with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, a serious violation under federal wildlife protection law.

Federal Law Protects Monk Seals Strictly

Hawaiian monk seals are among the most critically endangered marine mammals in the world, with their small population making every individual animal significant to the species’ survival. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, harassing, injuring, or killing a Hawaiian monk seal is a federal crime carrying potential fines and criminal penalties. Federal regulations prohibit approaching monk seals within 50 feet, making the alleged rock throw a clear and serious violation if the video evidence holds up in court.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources both became involved in the investigation following the viral video’s circulation. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen publicly condemned the conduct and vowed to pursue prosecution. The coordinated response from local, state, and federal wildlife authorities underscores how seriously officials treat threats to this protected species, particularly when documented on video.

Charges Filed, Defendant Released Pending Trial

Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Lytvynchuk, and a judge ordered him held initially before releasing him on the condition that he return to Hawaii to face the charges in federal court. The case has drawn national attention not only because of the alleged wildlife crime itself but because of Lytvynchuk’s reported attitude during the incident. Witnesses say his “I’m rich” outburst while being confronted by concerned beachgoers struck many as a display of contempt for both the law and the public.

Considering reports of harassment of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, such actions fall under strict NOAA enforcement under U.S. federal wildlife protection laws.

What charges are being pursued, and has formal enforcement been initiated?

— Defense Eye (@defense_eye) May 11, 2026

While Lytvynchuk has not made any public statement addressing the video evidence or the allegations, the footage and eyewitness account from Schnitzer form the core of the prosecution’s case. No injuries to the monk seal were officially reported, though the absence of documented injury does not negate the federal harassment charge, which covers the act of throwing the rock regardless of whether it made contact. The legal process will ultimately determine the outcome, but the video evidence and witness testimony present a significant challenge for any defense.