Subscribe to Fox News to access this content.
The maximum number of articles has been reached. To continue reading, log in or create an account for free.
By entering your email and continuing, you agree to Fox News’ content. Terms of Use and Privacy PolicyHere is our Financial Incentive Notice.
Please enter a valid email address.
A Florida amputee known as “Lieutenant Dan” was riding high after going viral for refusing to leave his small house boat. hurricane milton The Tampa Police Department told Fox News Digital that he is currently under arrest for failure to leave the parkside dock.
police say Joseph Malinowski, 54, posed a risk to public health as the unregistered vessel had no accessible means of discharging sewage and had no record of properly disposing of the waste.
Malinowski was unable to move after “numerous warnings” and was arrested at Bayshore Linear Park and Dock around 7:30 a.m. Friday. Police said they met with Malinowski the day before he was told to leave the park.
Tampa favorite ‘Lieutenant Dan’ took a boat through Hurricane Milton and explains how he survived.
“Lieutenant Dan,” a high-flying Florida amputee who went viral for refusing to leave his small house boat ahead of Hurricane Milton, has been arrested for failing to leave a parkside dock, the Tampa Police Department told Fox News. digital. (Fox News Digital, Tampa Police Department main, inset)
Malinowski was taken into custody Friday and transported to Orient Road Jail. The unregistered vessel was impounded.
He was charged with two warrants for failure to appear and one misdemeanor charge of trespassing in a city park after warning, police said.
Malinowski’s occupation is listed as “TIK TOK STAR,” and his arrest report lists him as unemployed, according to WTSB. Malinowski’s representative told TMZ that his team is working to stop it from going viral.
Malinowski’s nickname “Lieutenant Dan” appears to have originated from his resemblance. ‘Forrest Gump’ character The character of the same name played by actor Gary Sinise. Malinowski is missing part of his left leg and uses crutches to get around.
He went viral earlier this month for claiming he would ride out Hurricane Milton in his 20-foot boat as the storm barreled toward Tampa.
Despite pleas from local residents, law enforcement officials and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Malinowski decided to stay with his boat tied up on Bayshore Boulevard near Tampa General Hospital. He also sailed through Hurricane Helen on the same boat.
Tampa police try to convince “Lieutenant Dan” to get off his boat as Tampa prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 9th. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
But Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said people were taken to shelters before the storm hit. He was still on the boat, refusing to get off, according to a live TikTok feed and news interviews.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Malinowski told Fox News Digital after the storm.
“I had no plans to leave. The storm didn’t scare me because I didn’t see it. I didn’t write it. I didn’t make it happen.”
“This is a boat,” he said. “Just get the water out of the boat and you’ll be fine.”
Grandmother’s Bible survived Hurricane Helen after the storm destroyed her home: ‘It was Jehovah’
Malinowski previously caught the attention of TikToker Adin Ross, who offered to buy “Lieutenant Dan” a $50,000-$100,000 boat, saying Malinowski could document his “voyages” and generate income for lone sailors through has launched a full-time live stream TikTok deal. social media.
However, Ross discovered Malinowski’s lengthy content and canceled the offer. criminal record, According to the New York Post, this includes arrests for allegedly hitting a police officer and trying to set a woman on fire.
Police attempted to get “Lieutenant Dan” off his boat on October 9, before Hurricane Milton. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“He offered it to me,” Malinowski told a TikToker who recorded him live. “I never asked for it,” he said. “If you’re worried about your image and who works for you, you should do your due diligence and look me up before making an offer of $100,000 boat, $100,000 sign-on bonus, $50,000 per month.”
His other past charges include drug possession, attempted trespassing and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. According to the New York Post.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Despite the backlash, Malinowski said he plans to overcome it all in the future. tampa hurricanes Although the New York Post reported a public incident that called into question the boat’s ownership.
Malinowski said he began talking to God and meditating when Milton damaged the Tampa Bay and caused “cosmetic damage” to his boat.
While meditating, Malinowski imagined a ring that he thought would protect him from hitting the channel walls, he told Fox News Digital. It is said that when he became distracted by meditation, he hit the dock again, causing more damage.
The boat that stayed during Hurricanes Milton and Helene, “Lt. Dan” (Fox News Digital)
