Niamh Shackleton
Details of the criminal history of 'Lieutenant Dan' are coming to light following his newfound online fame.
The man, whose real name is Joseph Malinowski, went viral on TikTok in recent weeks when a Florida resident started documenting his life.
Malinowski lives on a small boat and survived both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton that battered parts of the state in recent weeks.
Dozens of people tried to get him to leave his boat - the police included - but he stayed put.
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People were begging for updates on the boatsman, and it's since been confirmed that he's alive and well.
In the wake of his viral stardom, almost $46,000 has been raised for Malinowski on GoFundMe.
The page was created by Terrence Concannon, the guy who started documenting Malinowski's story on TikTok.
Describing him as a 'dear friend' and 'the kindest soul', Concannon wanted to raise money for the nomad to buy a new boat.
The fundraiser is no longer accepting donations, and has received $45,768 in funds.
However, many are only just learning of Malinowski's criminal past and how he supposedly has a 'violent history', according to a judge who previously ordered the man's house arrest.
In February 2023, Malinowski was accused of trying to set a woman on fire in West Palm Beach.
As per an affidavit seen by The Independent, a woman ended up in an argument with Malinowski while she was sat on a bench having a cigarette.
He proceeded to pour gasoline onto the bench where she was sitting and ignited it.
Malinowski also reportedly 'splashed' the woman with gasoline while she was still smoking her cigarette.
She was left 'fearing for her life', and Malinowski was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, but the case was dropped for unknown reasons just a month later.
Malinowski has been arrested across numerous states for a variety of crimes, and 14 mug shots of the now-viral social media star are doing the rounds online.
As well as aggravated battery, he has also been charged with drug possession, battery against law enforcement, and trespassing.
He served time behind bars for hitting a police officer and was released in 2022.
Despite his criminal past, Concannon says he doesn't regret trying to help the man he dubbed as 'Lieutenant Dan'.
"I had no idea about [the past] and I am not one to judge. All I saw was a guy needing help and I was willing to give it," he told Daily Mail.