The one-legged captain “Lieutenant Dan” from the viral hurricane video has a lengthy criminal record and is charged with arson

TAMPA, Fla. – Joseph Malinowsk, known as “Lieutenant Dan” after a viral video showed him refusing to evacuate his boat before Hurricane Milton, has a criminal past that includes more than a dozen arrests. The 54-year-old, who gained attention for defying law enforcement advice to leave the Tampa area during the storm, is currently facing a number of charges, including attempted arson.

Malinowsk’s most recent legal troubles relate to an incident in February in which he allegedly tried to set a woman on fire. According to court documents, Malinowsk got into an argument with the woman as she sat on a concrete bench, then poured gasoline on the bench and set it on fire.

NEW: Internet sensation “Lieutenant Dan” has been arrested over a dozen times and is accused of trying to set a woman on fire.

54-year-old Joseph Malinowsk went viral for refusing to leave his boat in the Tampa area before Hurricane Milton.

There is an open criminal case for… pic.twitter.com/oGTIFf4AWX

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 10, 2024

He also reportedly threw water on the woman and tried to set her on fire with the remaining gasoline.

In addition to the arson charge, Malinowsk’s arrest record also includes crimes such as assault on a police officer, drug possession and attempted burglary. There is also an ongoing investigation into the ownership of his boat, which has become a focal point of his public persona.

Despite his criminal past, a GoFundMe campaign describing Malinowsk as “the kindest soul” who is “always ready to lend a hand” has raised tens of thousands of dollars. The fundraiser came after his viral moment when he defied evacuation orders and insisted on riding out the hurricane on his ship.

Law enforcement ultimately failed to convince Malinowsk to abandon the boat before Hurricane Milton made landfall, but he weathered the storm anyway.

BOISE – Jason Earl Wright, 49, of Jerome, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced Thursday.

Court records indicate Wright was part of a drug trafficking network operating in Idaho and Oregon, although his activities were limited to the Idaho side of the operation. Authorities found more than a pound and a half of methamphetamine, two firearms and a small amount of cocaine in Wright’s possession between June 28, 2023 and February 7, 2024.

When Wright was arrested following his federal indictment, he was in possession of a loaded handgun, two loaded magazines, over an ounce of methamphetamine, two cell phones, a scale, plastic baggies and drug records, according to court documents.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also fined him $500 and ordered Wright to serve four years of supervised release after completing his sentence.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit praised the cooperation of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Nampa Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit, the Meridian Police Department, the Boise Police Department, the Oregon State Police High Desert Drug Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service in the case Wrights have led to arrest and prosecution.

NEWARK, NJ – A Somerset County man pleaded guilty to committing a federal hate crime by vandalizing a religious center at Rutgers University during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, federal authorities announced Wednesday.

Jacob Beacher, 24, of North Plainfield, admitted in Trenton federal court to breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) on April 10 and causing more than $5,000 in damage to religious artifacts, including Turbah -Prayer stones and objects with sacred content, caused to have texts from the Quran. Beacher also stole a Palestinian flag and a charity box from the center.

“The free exercise of religion is a fundamental right of all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. “Jacob Beacher admitted that he intentionally broke into the Center for Islamic Life during the holy Eid-al-Fitr holiday and damaged and destroyed religious artifacts based on the Islamic beliefs of those associated with the facility.”

Federal authorities classified the act as an Islamophobic crime aimed at impairing the religious freedom of students and teachers. Deputy Attorney General Kristen Clarke noted that the Justice Department remains committed to prosecuting such crimes, adding, “Islamophobic hate crimes have no place in our society today.”

Beacher’s guilty plea came as part of a deal with federal prosecutors who charged him with damaging religious property, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch has scheduled sentencing for February 11, 2025.

The FBI, which assisted in the investigation, said the arrest was made quickly after the vandalism was reported. “Within days, we located and arrested Beacher,” said FBI Newark Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado. “We want our actions and the speed with which we responded to demonstrate our commitment and determination to protect New Jersey houses of worship.”