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Former Port Richey mayor denied bond

Dale Massad is accused of using "crack cocaine and meth" daily, stitching-up a friend on his kitchen table and shooting at law enforcement officers.

Former Port Richey Mayor Dale Massad will continue to be held without bond after prosecutors say he shot at Pasco County sheriff's deputies during a Feb. 21 SWAT raid at his home.

At the time, deputies were trying to serve Massad a warrant after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement got a tip he was practicing medicine in his home without a license.

Massad is accused of using "crack cocaine and meth" daily and stitching-up a friend on his kitchen table. He is charged with the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and practicing medicine without a license -- among other charges.

While in jail, officials say Massad and former interim Port Richey Mayor Terrence Rowe were taped on a prison phone line discussing retaliation against a witness earlier this year. Rowe was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and use of two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a crime.

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Rowe in March.

Massad appeared in court Monday morning, where a judge declined to set a bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 20.

Massad's trial is scheduled to start on June 24 for the two-way communication device and conspiracy charges.

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