Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, a resident of Washington state, has entered a plea of not guilty regarding federal charges stemming from the alleged harassment of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

華盛頓州居民 Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk 面臨聯邦指控，被指騷擾瀕危的夏威夷僧海豹，而他已對此項指控 pleads not guilty（否認有罪）。

The legal proceedings originate from an incident on May 5, 2026, in Lahaina, Maui, where Lytvynchuk was recorded throwing a large rock at a monk seal, identified by NOAA scientists as adult male R404. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii asserts that the projectile narrowly missed the animal's head, constituting a 'taking' under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. According to the criminal complaint, Lytvynchuk expressed indifference toward potential legal repercussions when confronted by witnesses, citing sufficient financial resources to offset any resulting fines.

此法律程序源於 2026 年 5 月 5 日在茂宜島拉海納發生的一起事件。當時 Lytvynchuk 被拍到向一隻僧海豹投擲大石頭，該海豹被 NOAA 科學家確認為成年雄性 R404。美國夏威夷地區檢察官辦公室主張，該投擲物險些擊中動物頭部，根據《瀕危物種法》與《海洋哺乳類動物保護法》，此行為構成「採取」（taking）。根據刑事起訴書，Lytvynchuk 在面對證人對質時，對潛在的法律後果表現冷漠，並聲稱擁有充足的財力來支付任何隨之而來的罰金。

Conversely, the defense, represented by attorney Myles Breiner, posits that the defendant's actions were predicated on a misidentification of the species. Breiner contends that Lytvynchuk, a fisherman, mistook the monk seal for an aggressive sea lion and acted with the intent to protect nearby sea turtles. Furthermore, the defense alleges that Lytvynchuk has been subjected to extrajudicial retaliation, including physical assault, doxing, and death threats. Breiner has suggested that the defendant is being disproportionately targeted due to his status as a non-local white male, asserting that indigenous populations are more frequently responsible for wildlife disturbances.

相反地，由律師 Myles Breiner 代表的辯方主張，被告的行為是基於對物種的誤認。Breiner 認為 Lytvynchuk 身為一名漁民，將僧海豹誤認為具攻擊性的海獅，其行為意圖是為了保護附近的海龜。此外，辯方指稱 Lytvynchuk 遭受了法外報復，包括肢體攻擊、個資外洩（doxing）以及死亡威脅。Breiner 暗示被告因其非本地白人男性的身分而受到不對等的針對，並聲稱原住民更常對野生動物造成騷擾。

Institutional responses have emphasized the critical status of the Hawaiian monk seal, with a global population estimated at 1,600. U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson characterized the prosecution as a commitment to the preservation of biodiversity. Simultaneously, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz suggested that the incident underscores a deficiency in public education initiatives managed by NOAA. The defendant remains free pending trial, subject to a judicial order prohibiting access to Hawaiian beaches and marine wildlife.

機構回應則強調了夏威夷僧海豹的危急狀態，全球估計僅剩 1,600 隻。美國檢察官 Ken Sorenson 將此次起訴描述為對維護生物多樣性的承諾。同時，美國參議員 Brian Schatz 指出，此事件凸顯了 NOAA 所管理的公眾教育計畫存在不足。被告在候審期間仍處於自由狀態，但須遵守法院命令，禁止進入夏威夷海灘及接觸海洋野生動物。

Lytvynchuk faces potential incarceration of up to one year per charge and cumulative fines reaching $70,000 if convicted.

若被定罪，Lytvynchuk 每項指控可能面臨最高一年的監禁，累計罰金將達 7 萬美元。