Tampa Bay's Lieutenant Dan arrested over same boat that shot him to fame during Hurricane Milton

TAMPA, FLORIDA: Lieutenant Dan, who rose to fame for staying in his boat during Hurricane Milton, was arrested on Friday, October 18.

Tampa police arrested the viral sensation, whose original name is Joseph Malinowski, at Bayshore Linear Park and Dock for refusing to move the boat despite repeated warnings.

Police first spoke with Malinowski a day before the arrest, when he claimed he had no access to marine sanitation devices and was unable to dispose of the human waste on his vessel, as per The Independent.

Lieutenant Dan's boat was deemed a public health hazard

The absence of facilities to properly discard sewage was considered a public health risk by the police, prompting them to demand Lieutenant Dan move the boat.

He is currently incarcerated at the Orient Road Jail, and his unregistered boat has been impounded. 

In the arrest record, Malinowski's occupation was given as "TikTok star." He also has two outstanding warrants for missing court appearances.

The nickname Lieutenant Dan is a reference to a 'Forrest Gump' character who stayed in his houseboat during a hurricane.

Malinowski's adamancy to stay in the small sailboat went viral earlier this month when Hurricane Milton made its landfall in Florida.

"The water’s going to come in, it’s going to rise. If you’re on land, it’s going to flood. You’re risking drowning. I’m in a boat, so the boat goes up with the water... it’s really the safest place to be, on my boat," said Malinowski before the Category 3 storm entered the Sunshine State. 

Though he was taken to a shelter ahead of the storm, he returned to his vessel.

Malinowski has a lengthy criminal history, including arrest records across multiple states. In August, he faced misdemeanor charges charges for using his unregistered boat in Hillsborough County, Florida.

He was imprisoned for a year until April 2022 for attacking a police officer. In 2023, he allegedly poured gasoline on a woman and ignited it over an argument.

Internet says Lieutenant Dan did not deserve the viral fame

Lieutenant Dan's arrest prompted netizens to call him out for not obeying the laws. 

One wrote, "Nobody is above the law. Break the law....get arrested," and another said, "Dude could've done something with the fame he got but looks like he's just throwing it all away." 

A person expressed, "He’s not a good person. Deserved none of the fame he got." 

"They warned him, tiktok star or not. He's not above the law like anyone else. Add another mug shot! Your on a roll buddy!" commented a Facebook user. 

Someone else added, "Well he should have learned to shut his mouth and not bringing more attention his way . He enjoyed the game but at the end it got him." 

"He’s an ungrateful man..wanted peanut butter someone brought him extra peanut butter and he crucified them for it..there’s other people out there that would appreciate and need help more," expressed another person. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.