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Joseph Malinowski, who rose to fame in recent days as “Lieutenant Dan,” the amputee who intended to ride out Hurricane Milton on a small boat in Tampa, has a sordid past that involves several arrests.
Malinowski went viral after he refused to exit his 20-foot sailboat amid evacuation orders from local officials. Supporters started a GoFundMe in his honor which has already raised more than $35,000.
But it turns out his story isn’t exactly what everyone hoped. In fact, Malinowski has a conflicting history that involves several arrests, including one where a woman claimed he attempted to set him on fire.
Lieutenant Dan’s 14 mugshots go crazy. Bro is a menace. pic.twitter.com/Fp5H5peTAB
— mikk 🙃 (@MikMilks_) October 10, 2024
Malinowski, whose name is also listed as Malinoyski in Florida criminal court records, severed a year in prison after after punching a police officer in the nose. The manager of the Irish Brigade Bar in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, asked him to leave the bar because he was screaming and breaking glasses before the arrest. He was released in April of 2022.
Following his release, police arrested Malinowski in Palm Beach County on suspicion of aggravated battery. A woman alleged that during an argument he doused a park bench with gasoline and set it on fire. She claimed Malinowski splashed her with gasoline during the argument, according to court records.
“She feared for her life due to the potential for the gasoline to ignite due to her holding an ignited cigarette,” the deputy wrote in his arrest report.
Malinowski appeared on several news stations before and during Hurricane Milton
“I have no fear. I don’t know what that means,” he said. “I’m not scared about what happens. I have no aftermath planned. If the boat starts to sink, I’m going to swim away.”
The response to his attempt was largely positive.
“I’m getting a lot of prayers,” Malinowski said, “and then I’m getting a lot of ‘rest in peace.’”
Malinowski ultimately remained on the boat and survived the worst of the storm.