<a href="https://www.world-today-news.com/you-dont-know-him-the-daughter-of-lieutenant-dan-who-braved-the-hurricane-was-furious-about-her-fathers-online-popularity/" title=""You don't know him" – the daughter of "Lieutenant Dan" who braved the hurricane was furious about her father's online popularity
-“>Joseph Malinowski, known as “Lieutenant Dan,” was arrested in Tampa
Joseph Malinowskipopularly known on social networks as the “Lieutenant Dan.”was arrested this morning while aboard his boat at Bayshore Linear Park in the Tampa Bay, Florida.
His arrest came after failing to appear in court on two previous occasions and facing a misdemeanor charge of trespassing in a city park. Before the arrest, police officers had already warned him about the implications of staying on an unregistered sailboat, which also lacked a proper sewage discharge device, posing a risk to public health. “His arrest responds to two outstanding arrest warrants and for remaining on the sailboat after receiving prior warnings.”reported Univision.
According to Tampa Police, Malinowski gained notoriety during Hurricane Milton, as he refused to evacuate the 6-meter (20-foot) sailboat he was inhabiting, garnering viral attention from users on platforms such as TikTok. Univision reported that despite warnings, the 54-year-old man was found again in the park in the morning, which culminated in his arrest.
The arrest operation was carried out at 7:30 am, at which time the authorities also seized Malinowski’s boat. The day before, he had interacted with officers who insisted that he leave public spaces to avoid sanctions.
Tampa police seized the sailboat of Joseph Malinowski, known as “Lieutenant Dan,” following his arrest for failing to comply with court orders and failing to evacuate during Hurricane Milton. (@terrenceconcannon/X)
After his arrest, Joseph Malinowski He was transferred to Orient Road Prison, where he is expected to face trial on the charges against him.
A representative from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told Univision about the importance of removing unregistered vessels and moderating risky behavior in public areas.
Since his arrest, social media platforms have shown renewed interest in his case, with multiple users expressing both support and criticism of his decisions.
Known on social media as ‘Lieutenant Dan’, he became famous last week by rejecting the authorities’ evacuation order as the powerful Hurricane Milton approached, which made landfall on October 9 in Florida.
Joseph Malinowski stayed on his sailboat during Hurricane Milton
In his viral videos, Malinowski shared your decision to stay on your houseboatdespite the threat of the hurricane, which attracted the attention of thousands of users.
The situation became critical when, on October 9, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor stated at a press conference that the police department rescued Malinowski, who changed his mind and was in a shelter. “If we can convince Lt. Dan to go to a shelter, we can get anyone to do it,” Castor said, underscoring the importance of safety in emergencies. However, it was later learned that Malinowski had not abandoned his ship and braved the storm within it, emerging unscathed.
Malinowsky, who is missing a leg, stayed on his boat in Tampa Harbor and survived the storm even though the boat hit a wall several times due to high winds.
His nickname comes from of the iconic character Lieutenant Dan from the movie ‘Forrest Gump’played by Gary Sinise, a war veteran who also braves a storm on his boat.
