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Ex-USF Student Faces March Trial In Explosives Case

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2009

TAMPA - A former University of South Florida student is scheduled to stand trial March 16 on charges he illegally transported explosives in 2007.

U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today set the trial date for Youssef Megahed, who was arrested in South Carolina in August 2007 along with Ahmed Mohamed after deputies there said they found explosive materials in their trunk.

Mohamed was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to helping terrorists by posting a video on the Internet site YouTube in which he demonstrates how to use a remote-controlled toy to detonate a bomb.

Megahed has not been implicated in the making or posting of the video.

The defense maintains the materials in the trunk were harmless homemade fireworks, but prosecutors say they had the potential to be modified into something lethal.

Megahed's trial had been delayed while prosecutors unsuccessfully appealed evidence rulings by Merryday, who will not let them use videos taken from Megahed's family computer or the YouTube video.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837 or esilvestrini@tampatrib.com.

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