### Florida TikTok Star “Lieutenant Dan” Arrested for Boating Violations: The Wild Story Behind His Viral Fame
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**A bizarre turn of events unfolded in Tampa, Florida.**
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**Joseph Malinowski, known as ‘Lieutenant Dan’ on TikTok, has been arrested.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-2176954426.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**The 54-year-old one-legged sailor gained fame after surviving Hurricane Milton on his boat.**
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**His TikTok handle references the iconic character from “Forrest Gump,” played by Gary Sinise.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1327321138.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**In the film, Lieutenant Dan loses both legs but finds solace on a fishing boat.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GettyImages-2149436407.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Now, reality mirrors fiction in unexpected ways.**
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**On October 18, Tampa police officers arrested Malinowski for health violations.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_1136293073.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Authorities found him moored at Bayshore Linear Park without proper waste disposal facilities.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1349363964-scaled.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**His boat lacked an accessible marine sanitation device, posing a public health risk.**
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**According to NBC reports, his occupation was cheekily listed as ‘TikTok Star.’**
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**Verliz Williams, a public information officer, elaborated on the incident.**
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**”Malinowski informed officers that he didn’t have proper disposal methods onboard,” she stated.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GettyImages-1352026087.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Despite numerous warnings to vacate the area, he refused to leave.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/shutterstock_636610996.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**But this arrest is just the tip of the iceberg in Malinowski’s tumultuous life.**
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**His backstory reveals a man who has faced unimaginable challenges.**
**At 16, Malinowski lost his leg in a horrific car crash.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1083962014.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Instead of succumbing to despair, he adopted a fearless approach to life.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1620784318-scaled.jpeg.optimal.jpg)
**He often shared that the ocean has always been his sanctuary.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1006512072.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**“The safest place to be is on a boat in a flood,” he said during Hurricane Milton.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-2176941043.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**“We learned that with Noah. Everyone that stayed on land drowned.”**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-2177665369.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**His confidence is palpable: “This is nothing compared to what I’ve been through.”**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1392578709.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**His connection to the sea deepened as he embraced life with resilience.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GettyImages-1521580109.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**But trouble hasn’t shied away from him.**
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**In previous legal skirmishes, Malinowski made headlines for violence.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-6228-000422-1-scaled.jpeg.optimal.jpg)
**He received a one-year prison sentence for punching a police officer in the nose.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1353266761.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Last year, he was accused of a more alarming incident.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GettyImages-1467524273.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Reports state he set a park bench on fire, then doused a woman with gasoline.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1350066913.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**”She feared for her life due to the potential for ignition,” the deputy wrote.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_1543591088-1.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**That case was dropped just a month later, but it added to his controversial reputation.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GettyImages-1188909997.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Despite these run-ins with the law, Malinowski’s TikTok content captivated viewers.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1430883932.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**His videos often blend humor, survival tips, and his unique perspective on life.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tinder-set-to-add-a-panic-button-and-other-safety-features-to-help-if-you-feel-unsafe-on-a-date_3.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Followers admire his unyielding spirit and ability to find joy amid chaos.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-2177634422-1.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**He even likened surviving storms to biblical tales of resilience.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GettyImages-2177700380.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**”I’m going to be fine because I’m in a boat that floats,” he reassured fans.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/GettyImages-1363610830-scaled.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**His charismatic outlook has attracted a loyal following, making him a viral sensation.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GettyImages-664800650.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Yet, the recent arrest could jeopardize his burgeoning career.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_1543591088-1.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**With his boat impounded, fans wonder what’s next for their favorite sailor.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/black-lieutenant-suing-police_1.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Will he continue to share his adventures, or is this the end of ‘Lieutenant Dan’?**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/flat-earthers-sail-antarctica-prove-earth-isnt-round_2.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**Malinowski’s journey reflects a man who dances on the edge of disaster.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-672151711.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**From viral fame to legal troubles, his life is a captivating narrative.**
**As fans await updates, one thing is certain: he won’t go quietly.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1146822780-1.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**The saga of ‘Lieutenant Dan’ is far from over.**
![](https://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GettyImages-2149436407.jpg.optimal.jpg)
**What will he do next?**
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**Stay tuned, as this story continues to unfold in unpredictable ways.**
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**Malinowski’s resilience and audacity have captured hearts—and headlines.**