Lieutenant Dan, the viral figure from Tampa who refused to abandon his boat during Hurricane Milton, has an extensive criminal record.
Who is ‘Lieutenant Dan’?
Joseph Malinowski, known as ‘Lieutenant Dan,’ became a viral sensation for refusing to evacuate his boat ahead of Hurricane Milton.
Despite his newfound fame, Malinowski’s past reveals a long list of criminal charges and questionable behavior.
Malinowski, 54, earned his nickname due to his resemblance to the fictional character ‘Lieutenant Dan’ from Forrest Gump.
His refusal to leave his 22-foot sailboat during the hurricane drew attention from major media outlets, including The Weather Channel and CNN. Social media influencer ‘Tampa’ Terrence Concannon even launched a GoFundMe page for Malinowski, raising over $40,000 for him to purchase a larger vessel.
Joe waits out Hurricane Milton on his Boat
@terrenceconcannon Lieutenant Dan is the man
In a previous video, Joe expressed confidence regarding the storm, saying, “Bring it on!”
He survived Hurricane Helene but now faces the stronger Hurricane Milton. The storm is expected to hit Florida on October 9.
Terrence has tried to persuade Joe to seek shelter in a hotel. His efforts have been unsuccessful. Even the Chief of Tampa Police spoke to Joe, urging him to leave the boat. As of October 8, Joe remains determined to stay.
Joe believes his boat is the safest place to be.
Despite the threat of Hurricane Milton, Lieutenant Dan reportedly said that his boat is the safest plac
He explained, “The water’s going to come in and rise. If you’re on land, you risk drowning.” He feels the boat will rise with the water, keeping him safe.
Joe claims that “God” told him to get a boat, feeling reassured by this guidance.
He stated, “He’s got my back. I’m in good shape. I’m not sweating it.”
Previously, Lieutenant Dan had a lengthy criminal record spanning two states.
Malinowski’s criminal history stretches back to 2006, with numerous arrests in both North Carolina and Florida. These arrests include a range of charges, from drug possession to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Many of the charges are traffic-related or for failure to appear in court, but some incidents are much more severe.
In May 2021, Malinowski was arrested after a disturbance at Brogues Down Under bar in Lake Worth, Florida. When police attempted to arrest him, Malinowski became violent, punching a sheriff’s deputy in the nose.
The altercation resulted in Malinowski being subdued, and he later served a year in jail for battery against a law enforcement officer.
A more alarming event occurred in February 2022 when Malinowski allegedly poured gasoline on a woman during an argument at Lake Worth Beach.
According to reports, he tried to set her on fire by splashing gasoline near her while she smoked a cigarette. Though the case was dropped, the incident remains part of his checkered past.
Tampa’s ‘Lieutenant Dan’ sparks questions about his sailing credentials
Malinowski’s skills as a sailor have also been called into question. In March 2022, he was charged with abandoning a derelict sailboat in South Florida. Prosecutors later dropped the case, but it added to the skepticism surrounding his reputation.
As Hurricane Milton approached Florida, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor urged residents to evacuate.
Despite these warnings, Malinowski stayed aboard his sailboat in Tampa Bay.
Even after the mayor claimed he had taken shelter, Malinowski was spotted on his boat, defying evacuation orders once again.
Joseph Malinowski’s viral fame as ‘Lieutenant Dan’ has brought attention to his defiant attitude in the face of danger.
However, his lengthy criminal record and questionable past raise concerns about his actions during Hurricane Milton.
Despite his refusal to evacuate, his story continues to capture public interest as Florida recovers from the storm’s destruction.