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Plea Deal For Megahed Discussed
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Published: February 16, 2008
Updated: 02/16/2008 12:55 am
TAMPA - Attorneys are negotiating a possible plea deal in the case of one of two former University of South Florida students charged with transporting explosives.
Attorneys informed U.S. Magistrate Mark Pizzo that Youssef Megahed may enter into a plea agreement, according to minutes of an unannounced court hearing Friday.
"At the present time, there is no agreement to resolve this case by way of plea," said Megahed's attorney, Adam Allen, a federal public defender. "I can assure that if for some reason we do enter an agreement, there will not be a plea to anything that Mr. Megahed is currently charged with."
Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed, who were born in Egypt, are charged with illegally transporting explosives. Mohamed also is charged with trying to help terrorists by posting on the Internet a video in which he shows how to use a remote-controlled toy to detonate a bomb.
Both defendants are scheduled to go on trial next month, and a hearing is set for Tuesday on defense motions to suppress evidence. "We're completely prepared to do the hearing on Tuesday," Allen said. "It is way too early in these discussions to be able to give a likelihood, to give a percentage" on the odds a plea agreement will be reached.
An attorney for Mohamed, Linda Moreno, told the judge she will need more time to prepare for trial if Megahed does reach a plea agreement, court minutes state.
Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.
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