Massad, 68, faces five charges of premeditated attempted homicide, and felony charges of practicing medicine without a license and unlawful use of a two-way communications device, all stemming from the February arrest.

Before the SWAT team visit, the Port Richey police chief told state agents he saw a scalpel on the counter while at Massad's house. According to court records obtained by the Times, Massad said he "was just helping some people out that couldn't afford medical insurance."

But Massad wasn't done — even while he was in jail after Terrance Rowe took over as acting mayor on March 3. Florida state officials said Massad conspired with Rowe to intimidate a police officer who was involved in the February arrest.

The Times reported that during a call on a recorded jail phone, Rowe told Massad, "This doesn't go down without somebody answering for it."