'Lieutenant Dan's' Criminal History Revealed – Student Behind His Hurricane Milton GoFundMe Says 'His Past Doesn't Define Him'

“Lieutenant Dan's” dark past comes to light as thousands donate to the Hurricane Milton GoFundMe page set up for him by a kind-hearted University of Tampa student.

The one-legged sailor who refused to abandon his boat won hearts after 23-year-old student Terrence Concannon shared TikTok videos of his survival during Hurricane Helene.

Thousands have donated to the online fundraiser created by Concannon, which now totals more than $40,000. Streamer Adin Ross agreed to buy “Dan” — whose real name is Joseph Malinowski — a new boat, offering him a potentially lucrative chance to live-stream his daily life on a platform called Live Kick.

As his online fame grew, Malinowski's convictions for assault and petty crime came to light, along with his numerous mugshots over the years.

Concannon tells DailyMail.com that he was unaware of Malinowski's past when he offered to help. He doesn't regret it either, despite what he says on the internet.

According to public records obtained by DailyMail.com, “Lieutenant Dan” has had over 70 contacts with police in Florida and North Carolina since 2012

“He never mentioned anything about it.” I had no idea about (the past) and I'm not the one to judge. “I just saw a man who needed help and I was willing to give it.”

Concannon first met Malowski four weeks ago as he walked home from campus.

“I used to walk past him and then one day his boat's engine stopped and he was sucked under a bridge, causing him to scream.

“He threw me the rope and I pulled him in.”

Concannon became increasingly concerned about him as Hurricane Helene brewed off the Gulf Coast in September.

“He was like, ‘No, I can handle it.’”

It only felt natural to check on him again afterward.

As Milton gained momentum, he became even more concerned about Malowski's well-being.

Thousands have donated to the online fundraiser started by student Terrence Concannon, which has now reached $40,000

The sailor is seen on Thursday after surviving the storm on his boat

“That’s when I started filming more and then it exploded.”

As Malowski's story went viral as the storm approached, social media users began pointing out that the sailor had a decade-long criminal record.

Malowski has had more than 70 contacts with police in Florida and North Carolina since 2012, according to public records obtained by DailyMail.com.

He has also been involved in several court cases in New Jersey.

As Malowski's story went viral as the storm approached, social media users began pointing out that the sailor had a decade-long criminal record

Malowski will face criminal court later this year over a dispute over ownership of his boat

Malowski's criminal record includes charges of drug possession, assault, resisting police, burglary and assault.

Adin Ross apparently decided to withdraw his offer of a new boat for Malowski after learning his story.

“He came to me — I never asked,” Malowski said on a TikTok Thursday following the withdrawn offer.

“Then he starts singing about my story. He should have done his due diligence.

“I didn't ask you for it, you offered it, I agreed.” He asked me to be at Kick 100 hours a month and I said no problem, I'm not okay with that.

Now he discusses my story and the deal is done.”

Most recently, the sailor served six months in prison for punching a police officer in the nose. He was released in 2022.

Less than a year after his release, Malowski was accused of setting fire to a park bench and throwing gasoline on a woman who claimed she feared for her life.

Malinowski lost his leg in a car accident when he was 16

However, the proceedings were discontinued for unknown reasons.

Last year, Malowski also clashed with police over the sinking of another sailboat on Florida's east coast, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Malowski will face criminal court later this year over a dispute over ownership of his boat.

“I went to prison, I served time in prison, but I can tell you – I am innocent of all charges!” The sailor talked about his criminal past.

“I was completely overwhelmed, I didn't even see the policeman.” I went to prison for a year. But karma and God are real.