Jordan Gerbich, Killing Elephant Seal, California 2020

LOS ANGELES, CA – A former Santa Maria resident has been sentenced to three months in federal prison for the senseless killing of a northern elephant seal on a beach near San Simeon.

Jordan Gerbich, 30, who at the time of the offense resided in Santa Maria and now lives in Coalville, Utah, was handed down the sentence by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer.

Gerbich pleaded guilty in December 2020 to one misdemeanor count of illegally taking a marine mammal. The charge stems from an incident on September 28, 2019, when Gerbich fatally shot the elephant seal as it rested on the beach in the Piedras Blancas rookery.

Prosecutors noted in their sentencing memorandum that Gerbich’s motivations for the act remain unclear, but acknowledged that he knew it was wrong.

Northern elephant seals are a protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and populations vary throughout the year based on breeding and molting cycles.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement investigated this matter, with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife providing substantial assistance.

Gerbich was also ordered to be placed on one year of supervised release following his release from prison, serve a three-month term of home detention, perform 120 hours of community service, and pay a $1,000 fine.

Gerbich’s actions have sparked outrage among wildlife advocates, who are calling for stricter penalties for those who harm protected species.

Assistant United States Attorney Heather C. Gorman of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section prosecuted the case.

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