The viral sailor who braved Hurricane Milton on his small boat in Tampa, Florida, reportedly has a troubled past… with police alleging he once tried to set a woman on fire.
The alleged incident involving José Malinowski – better known as “Lieutenant Dan” on TikTok – took place in February 2023, according to the New York Post Officewhich cites Palm Beach County sheriff’s records.
The Post says officers say Malinowski was arguing with a woman named sarah perry as she smoked a cigarette about 20 feet away from him near West Palm Beach. She was with her brother and a friend.
During the argument, deputies say, Malinowski began pouring gasoline on the bench between him and the woman who approached him holding a cigarette.
Malinowski “walks with crutches, picked up the red gasoline container and poured gasoline on Perry,” deputies state in the report.
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Herzog adds Perry feared for his life because the supposed gasoline could catch fire from the lit cigarette.
The New York Post includes photos of the alleged incident … featuring the red gas canister cops say Malinowski was using and the dark burn mark on the concrete countertop.
Deputy Sheriff Herzog says he arrived to find Lt. Dan wet and smelling like gasoline… claiming he finally determined he “intentionally threw gasoline” on Perry.
Police arrested Malinowski and reportedly charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Malinowski has attracted a viral following on TikTok in the past few days riding Milton in his small boat… saying he knew God would protect him, referring to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark.