A Washington state man facing federal charges for allegedly hurling a large rock at a beloved endangered Hawaiian monk seal has been the target of vigilante harassment, including receiving a package containing what appeared to be feces at his home, his attorney revealed.

Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, was charged with violating the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act following an incident on May 5, 2026, in Lahaina, Maui. Video footage that went viral showed Lytvynchuk picking up a coconut-sized rock and throwing it toward a Hawaiian monk seal known locally as “Lani” (identified as R404 by NOAA), narrowly missing her head.

According to prosecutors, Lytvynchuk was observed tracking the seal’s movements along the shoreline as she interacted with a floating log. Witnesses described him deliberately aiming and throwing the rock at the animal.

Lytvynchuk’s defense attorney, Myles Breiner, has maintained that his client did not intend to harm the seal. Breiner stated that Lytvynchuk, who was familiar with Hawaii’s waters as a fisherman, believed he was protecting nearby sea turtles from the seal and claimed he was unaware of the animal’s protected status or the significance of monk seals in Hawaiian waters.

Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered, with only about 1,600 individuals remaining in the wild. They are protected under federal law, and harassing them can result in significant fines and potential prison time.

Since the video surfaced, Lytvynchuk has faced intense public backlash. He was reportedly physically assaulted, doxxed, and subjected to death threats. His attorney told media outlets that the family recently received a “disgusting package” in the mail containing what appeared to be feces.

Lytvynchuk appeared in U.S. District Court in Honolulu and is expected to plead not guilty. He was released on $25,000 bond with travel restrictions and is scheduled for further court proceedings.

The case has sparked widespread outrage across Hawaii and online, with many locals and conservationists expressing fury over the treatment of the protected marine mammal. Maui officials and environmental groups have used the incident to remind visitors to respect wildlife and maintain safe distances from monk seals.

This story is developing as authorities continue to investigate the incident and related threats against Lytvynchuk.