Just weeks after a Florida mayor was arrested on suspicion of firing a gun at police officers at his home to arrest him on charges of practicing medicine without a license, his replacement found himself behind bars this week.
According to the New York Post, Acting Port Richey Mayor Terance Hagen Rowe was arrested on Wednesday as part of an investigation into tips that he had attempted to interfere in an ongoing criminal probe.
The 64-year-old was taken into custody by state law enforcement agents and is expected to face charges including criminal counts of obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice, and using a communication device to facilitate the commission of a crime.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, former Mayor Dale Massad was arrested on February 21 after members of a Pasco County SWAT team arrived at his home to serve an warrant.
At that time, he was accused of practicing medicine at his home despite the fact that he had not been licensed since 1992. He allegedly opened fire on the officers and remained behind bars without bond as of the latest updates available.
Rowe had publicly praised his predecessor, including during his first appearance as acting mayor during a city council meeting earlier this month.
“It’s unfortunate, it’s tragic and I will miss his counsel,” Rowe said of Massad in regard to the arrest.
Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said Rowe’s arrest was “related” to the investigation into Massad, describing it as “an offshoot” without providing additional information.
Rowe was booked into Pasco County Jail following his arrest in lieu of bond set at $15,000 and was not listed among its inmates on Thursday.
[Featured image: Terance Rowe, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office]
