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Student May Switch Attorneys

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By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2007

TAMPA - One of two University of South Florida students charged with transporting explosives is likely to get a new attorney.

After flying into Vandenberg Airport on Sunday, South Carolina attorney Andrew Savage met for an hour with Youssef Megahed and talked with members of his family. He recommended they hire a local lawyer to handle Megahed's case but said he would stay on in some capacity because of the close relationship he has built with the family.

The lawyer said he would provide a list of Tampa lawyers for them to consider. Megahed also could seek representation from a federal public defender, Savage said.

The Megahed family is hardworking but 'has limited resources,' he said.

Megahed's father, Samir, said he and his family have grown close to Savage and trust him. They plan to decide who should represent his son in the next few days, he said.

Savage said the family is concerned about Megahed's health. He has lost about 20 pounds because of stress since his arrest, he said.

Megahed, 21, and another student, Ahmed Mohamed, were pulled over for speeding Aug. 4 in South Carolina, about seven miles from the Goose Creek Naval Weapons Station, which houses a military prison for enemy combatants.

Last month, a federal grand jury in Tampa indicted both men with possession of an incendiary or explosive device, based in part on what authorities said was a pipe bomb found in the trunk of their car. The students said they were carrying fireworks and on their way to a North Carolina beach.

Mohamed, a 26-year-old civil engineering student, is also accused of transporting explosives and trying to help terrorists by aiding, teaching and demonstrating the use of an explosive device.

The vaguely worded indictment says Mohamed distributed information 'by any means' about making and using explosive devices. A federal law enforcement official said he exchanged information over the Internet about how to miniaturize bombs.

Both men are Egyptian citizens. Megahed is a permanent resident of the United States, and Mohamed is visiting on a student visa.

It's unclear whether Mohamed also plans to switch lawyers. Lionel Lofton, a lawyer representing him in South Carolina, could not be reached Sunday.

Information from Tribune archives was used in this report. Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 865-1505 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.

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