No bail ruling for Arab student

A federal judge says he'll weigh the risks against the suspended USF student's liberty.

By KEVIN GRAHAM, Times Staff Writer
Published October 6, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Youssef Megahed, 21, is charged with one count of illegally transporting explosive materials. Ahmed Mohamed, 26 is charged with one count of illegally transporting explosives and one count of teaching or demonstrating the making of explosive devices. Video Silliness, or sinister code?

TAMPA - Youssef Megahed walked into an Ocala Wal-Mart 14 hours before his arrest on explosives charges and jotted down the prices of at least two types of high-powered rifles, prosecutors say.

When U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday learned Friday the kinds of firearms Megahed asked about, the judge described them as "fine assassins' rifles" that were very accurate.

Merryday said he wants more time to decide whether to release Megahed on bail.

Megahed, 21, remains at the Hillsborough County Jail .

"I understand my obligation to rule promptly, and I will do so," Merryday said.

He plans to review the transcripts of Friday's court proceedings and a U.S. code citation that prosecutors said gave them the right to insist Megahed stay in jail before trial .

Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed, 26, both suspended University of South Florida students, were arrested Aug. 4, near a Goose Creek, S.C., naval base. A deputy stopped them for speeding, searched their car and found what experts say were materials for low-grade explosives.

A federal grand jury in Tampa handed up an Aug. 29 indictment charging both men with illegally transporting explosive materials. Mohamed faces an additional charge of teaching others how to make an explosive. Prosecutors say they found a laptop showing a video of Mohamed turning a remote control toy into a detonator, and that he uploaded the instructional video to YouTube.

At a Sept. 14 hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Jenkins granted Megahed's release from jail on a secured $200,000 bail, with the condition that he and his family surrender their passports. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hoffer immediately appealed the ruling.

Though Megahed met the conditions for release on bail, a judge ruled that he should remain in jail until prosecutors could present their objections in court. That happened Friday.

Times researcher Caryn Baird and staff writer Brendan Watson contributed to this story.

Fast facts

An outline of the case and the defendants

YOUSSEF MEGAHED, 21, is charged with one count of illegally transporting explosive materials.

Place of birth: Egypt.

Status in the United States: legal resident; family moved to California from Egypt about 10 years ago and settled in Tampa after the University of South Florida accepted both Megahed and older brother, Yahia Megahed.

Classification at the University of South Florida: senior engineering major, three credits short of graduating; suspended because of the criminal charges.

AHMED MOHAMED, 26 is charged with one count of illegally transporting explosives and one count of teaching or demonstrating the making of explosive devices.

Place of Birth: Egypt.

Status in the United States: here on a student visa; arrived in January to attend school in Tampa.

Classification at the University of South Florida: engineering graduate student and teaching assistant; suspended because of the criminal charges.

[Last modified October 5, 2007, 23:50:12]