Lieutenant Dan’s Viral Mugshots: The Truth Behind Joseph Malinowski’s Criminal Past Amid Hurricane Milton
4 min read
Joseph Malinowski, better known by his online alias “Lieutenant Dan,” became a viral sensation after refusing to evacuate his boat in Tampa, Florida, during Hurricane Milton. As his story spread across social media, the internet began digging into his past, uncovering a history of legal troubles that culminated in the circulation of a collage showing Malinowski’s mugshots from 14 different arrests. Despite the buzz surrounding these images, the truth behind Lieutenant Dan’s criminal history is less scandalous than the rumors suggest.
The Viral Mugshots and False Allegations
On October 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 3 storm, Lieutenant Dan, who remained aboard his boat, became the subject of both admiration and concern. As news outlets reported on his defiance against evacuation warnings, social media users unearthed his past, leading to the viral spread of his mugshots. Some internet users went as far as to claim that Malinowski had been involved in heinous crimes, such as pedophilia and attempted arson.
Mugshots of 'Lieutenant Dan,' the man who survived Hurricane Milton on his boat, surface 👀 pic.twitter.com/bF38A8LYCC
— exwhy_07 (@utdexwhy) October 10, 2024
However, a closer examination of the available records dispels these rumors. While the mugshots are indeed of Lieutenant Dan, there is no evidence supporting the more severe accusations. The legal issues he has faced are largely related to boat violations, traffic infractions, and a drug paraphernalia charge from 2019, which he pled no contest to. It is worth noting that the drug charge occurred before the legalization of marijuana in Florida and was not classified as a felony.
What Are the Real Charges?
Malinowski’s criminal record shows that the bulk of his offenses are minor in nature, mostly involving boating violations such as expired tags, improper docking, and traffic-related citations. The 2019 drug paraphernalia and possession charge, which took place in Broward County, is one of the more serious charges, though it was not a felony, and he resolved it by pleading no contest. Importantly, none of the allegations that went viral—particularly those involving pedophilia or attempted arson—are supported by any documented legal proceedings.
If you were following the story of disabled veteran ‘Lieutenant Dan’ riding out Cat 5 Hurricane Milton on his 20 foot boat (took him 5 years to get, & it’s all he owns) in the Tampa Harbor, he will now be SAFE.
— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) October 9, 2024
The Tampa Police Chief visited him, and convinced him to go to a… pic.twitter.com/MLFaepjNCA
Lieutenant Dan’s Rise to Viral Fame
Lieutenant Dan, who lives on his boat, rose to internet fame during Hurricane Milton when he refused to evacuate, claiming that staying on his boat was safer than being on land. “I’m in good shape, I’m not sweating it. We got it set up the [right] way, we know what we’re doing,” Dan told TikToker @terrenceconcannon in an interview before the storm. His defiance against evacuation orders struck a chord with social media users, many of whom admired his resilience.
For everyone worried about “Lieutenant Dan” – I just talked to him. His real name is Joseph Malinowski.
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) October 9, 2024
He says he is going to stay on his sailboat in the Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/UJWE7EAazt
Tampa police and concerned residents urged Lieutenant Dan to leave his boat behind as the storm approached, but he remained steadfast. At one point, during a TikTok Live on October 8, Dan said he would consider leaving if someone helped him find a place to stay. Eventually, rumors surfaced that the Tampa Police Chief had convinced him to take shelter, but by October 9, a video posted online confirmed that Dan was still aboard his boat. Despite the dangers, he believed his boat would rise with the storm surge and remain safe.
Adin Ross’s Offer and the Criminal History Controversy
The story took a new twist when popular streamer Adin Ross made a generous offer to Lieutenant Dan during a live stream. Ross offered to buy him a new boat, worth between $50,000 to $100,000, and give him a full-time streaming deal on the platform Kick. Lieutenant Dan was overwhelmed by the offer, expressing his gratitude and sharing details about his past struggles with homelessness and addiction.
However, shortly after the offer, rumors surfaced that Ross was rescinding the deal after learning about Lieutenant Dan’s criminal record. Dan himself posted about these rumors, adding fuel to the fire. In response, Ross quickly debunked the claims, stating that he never took back his offer. “I never said I was taking the offer/deal/boat away, the internet loves to make me look bad,” Ross said in a follow-up statement.
Adin Ross real af for this he’s getting Lieutenant Dan a $100,000 boat and a Kick deal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZknAB42t7y
— juju 💰 (@ayeejuju) October 10, 2024
Fans Rally Around Lieutenant Dan
As the internet continues to dissect Lieutenant Dan’s past, his supporters have rallied to his aid. Fans have launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising over $30,000 to help him replace his boat. Despite the viral mugshots and swirling rumors, Dan has remained active on TikTok, sharing updates about his life on the water and his experiences surviving Hurricane Milton.
This latest chapter in Lieutenant Dan’s story comes just weeks after Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction across the southeastern United States. As Florida and other states begin to recover from two devastating storms in quick succession, Lieutenant Dan’s resilience and unconventional lifestyle have captured the imaginations of many, though his viral mugshots serve as a reminder of the complexities behind every internet sensation.
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
