Joseph Malinowski, a Florida amputee known as “Lieutenant Dan,” was arrested for failing to leave a park-side dock in Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton. He did not have an accessible device to discharge sewage from his unregistered vessel and did not properly dispose of waste, creating a public health hazard. He was arrested after failing to move despite warnings and was charged with two outstanding warrants for failure to appear and trespassing in a city park after warning. Malinowski, who rose to fame for refusing to leave his boat during Hurricane Milton, was taken into custody and his boat was impounded.
Malinowski, also known as “Lieutenant Dan” due to his resemblance to the character from “Forrest Gump,” went viral for claiming he would ride out Hurricane Milton in his boat despite warnings to seek shelter. He remained on his boat tied to Bayshore Boulevard near Tampa General Hospital, defying pleas from local residents, law enforcement officials, and the mayor of Tampa. Although Mayor Jane Castor stated that Malinowski had been taken to a shelter before the storm hit, live feeds and interviews indicated that he was still on the boat during the storm. Malinowski explained that he was not scared of the storm and believed he would be fine if he kept the water out of the boat.
TikTok star Adin Ross had offered to purchase Malinowski a new boat and set up a live stream deal for him to document his voyages. However, Ross withdrew the offer after learning about Malinowski’s criminal record, which includes charges such as hitting a police officer, attempting to set a woman on fire, drug possession, attempted breaking and entering, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Despite the backlash, Malinowski stated that he plans to ride out all future hurricanes in Tampa in his boat.
During Hurricane Milton, Malinowski claimed that while his boat suffered cosmetic damage, he started talking to God and meditating. He believed that a ring around him during meditation might have protected him from hitting the channel’s wall, causing less damage to the boat. Malinowski shared his experiences and beliefs with Fox News Digital after the storm passed. He also mentioned a case where the ownership of his boat was in question, but he remains determined to continue riding out hurricanes on his vessel in the future. Malinowski’s arrest and defiance of warnings have garnered attention and controversy, highlighting his unconventional approach to dealing with extreme weather events.
Malinowski’s viral fame as “Lieutenant Dan,” his refusal to leave his boat during Hurricane Milton, and his criminal record have sparked debates and discussions about his actions and choices. Despite facing legal consequences for his actions, Malinowski remains committed to his unconventional lifestyle and plans to continue riding out hurricanes in his boat. His arrest and impoundment of his vessel have raised questions about public safety, social media influence, and personal resilience in the face of natural disasters. Malinowski’s story serves as a reminder of the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of fame, social media, and personal convictions in the modern world.
