This still image comes from a video that was captured on May 5 showing a man throw a large rock at a Hawaiian monk seal. Photo courtesy U.S. Attorney's Office

A man from Washington who was captured on video throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal on Maui is facing criminal charges, according to U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson.

Sorenson announced on Wednesday that Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, has been charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

Lytvynchuk is accused of throwing a large rock at the seal’s head. He was arrested Wednesday near Seattle, Washington, by special agents with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The U.S. attorney’s office said Lytvynchuk is scheduled for an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Washington at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 14.

According to the criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday, Lytvynchuk was filmed walking along the shoreline in the Lahaina area of Maui on May 5, tracking the movements of a Hawaiian monk seal, known as “Lani,” as she playfully pushed a floating log close to the shoreline.

The complaint says Lytvynchuk picked up a large rock, took aim and threw it directly at Lani’s head. The rock narrowly missed her nose, startling Lani and causing her to rear up out of the water.

Witnesses confronted Lytvynchuk and told him they had contacted law enforcement, to which Lytvynchuk reportedly responded that he was “rich enough to pay the fines,” before walking away.

According to witnesses, Lani remained largely immobile for an extended period of time after the incident, which caused concern over her welfare.

If convicted, Lytvynchuk, faces up to one year in prison for each charge, plus a term of supervised release. Lytvynchuk also faces a fine of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

“The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani,” Sorenson said in a statement. “We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Nammar is serving as the prosecutor.