A 32-year-old man is going to prison after pleading guilty to beating a sick sea lion on a California beach, officials said.

Christopher Hurtado, 32, admitted Monday to one count of animal cruelty and one count of drug possession after officials say he abruptly changed his plea ahead of trial.

Security cameras captured the incident, leading to the arrest of the suspect, identified by police as 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado.

Christopher Hurtado, 32, was charged with cruelty to an animal and possession of methamphetamine, and he faced special allegations related to a previous conviction and the animal's vulnerable ...

Now, 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado, of Santa Paula, has pleaded guilty "to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms," the ...

According to a Ventura Police Department release, a department employee monitoring cameras saw the man, identified as Christopher Hurtado, pick up a large stick, approach the sea lion, and begin ...

Now, 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado, of Santa Paula, has pleaded guilty “to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms,” the ...

Now, 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado, of Santa Paula, has pleaded guilty “to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms,” the ...

Now, 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado, of Santa Paula, has pleaded guilty “to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms,” the ...

Now, 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado, of Santa Paula, has pleaded guilty “to two felony counts related to the beating of a sea lion suffering on a Ventura beach from recent algae blooms,” the ...