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‘Lieutenant Dan’ Who Survived Hurricane Milton In Tiny Boat Has Been Arrested

### 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.** 

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**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.**  

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**In the film, Lieutenant Dan loses both legs but finds solace on a fishing boat.** 

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**Now, reality mirrors fiction in unexpected ways.**  

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**On October 18, Tampa police officers arrested Malinowski for health violations.**  

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**Authorities found him moored at Bayshore Linear Park without proper waste disposal facilities.**  

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 **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.**  

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 **Despite numerous warnings to vacate the area, he refused to leave.**  

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**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.**  

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**Instead of succumbing to despair, he adopted a fearless approach to life.**  

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**He often shared that the ocean has always been his sanctuary.**  

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**“The safest place to be is on a boat in a flood,” he said during Hurricane Milton.**  

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**“We learned that with Noah. Everyone that stayed on land drowned.”**  

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**His confidence is palpable: “This is nothing compared to what I’ve been through.”**  

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 **His connection to the sea deepened as he embraced life with resilience.**  

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**But trouble hasn’t shied away from him.**  

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**In previous legal skirmishes, Malinowski made headlines for violence.**  

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**He received a one-year prison sentence for punching a police officer in the nose.**  

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 **Last year, he was accused of a more alarming incident.**  

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**Reports state he set a park bench on fire, then doused a woman with gasoline.**  

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**”She feared for her life due to the potential for ignition,” the deputy wrote.**  

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**That case was dropped just a month later, but it added to his controversial reputation.**  

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**Despite these run-ins with the law, Malinowski’s TikTok content captivated viewers.**  

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**His videos often blend humor, survival tips, and his unique perspective on life.**  

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**Followers admire his unyielding spirit and ability to find joy amid chaos.**  

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 **He even likened surviving storms to biblical tales of resilience.**  

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**”I’m going to be fine because I’m in a boat that floats,” he reassured fans.**  

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**His charismatic outlook has attracted a loyal following, making him a viral sensation.** 

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**Yet, the recent arrest could jeopardize his burgeoning career.**  

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**With his boat impounded, fans wonder what’s next for their favorite sailor.**  

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**Will he continue to share his adventures, or is this the end of ‘Lieutenant Dan’?**  

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**Malinowski’s journey reflects a man who dances on the edge of disaster.**  

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**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.**  

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**The saga of ‘Lieutenant Dan’ is far from over.**  

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**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.**