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FBI Expert Testifies At Megahed Explosives Trial

Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office

Plastic pipes in the trunk of a car pulled over in South Carolina in 2007 contained a “low-explosive” mixture of sugar and potassium nitrate, an FBI expert testified at the federal trial of Youssef Megahed.

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By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 23, 2009

TAMPA - Plastic pipes in the trunk of a car pulled over in South Carolina in 2007 contained a "low-explosive" mixture of sugar and potassium nitrate, an FBI expert testified this morning in the federal trial of a former University of South Florida student.

Such a pyrotechnic mixture functions by "rapid burning" as compared to detonation, or the quick release of energy, of a high-explosive mixture, said Ron Kelly, a forensic chemist with the explosives unit of the FBI lab in Quantico, Va.

Kelly was testifying in the trial of Youssef Megahed, who was arrested Aug. 4, 2007, when deputies in South Carolina pulled over a car in which he and Ahmed Mohamed were riding. At the time, Megahed and Mohamed were USF students. Both are from Egypt – Mohamed was in the United States on a student visa and Megahed, here since he was 11, is a legal, permanent resident.

Mohamed is serving 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to helping terrorists by posting on YouTube a video in which he demonstrates how to detonate a bomb with a remote-controlled toy.

Megahed is not charged with terrorism. He is on trial on charges of transporting explosives and possession of a destructive device – each carrying a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

The defense maintains Megahed knew nothing about Mohamed's 4-inch model rockets, which it contends were harmless toys.

The prosecution says the devices could have been easily modified to become dangerous.

Under cross-examination by defense attorney Adam Allen, Kelly agreed that the law defines pyrotechnics as functioning without explosions. Kelly said scientists have a broader definition of explosives.

Kelly also said he has heard of "sugar rockets," or model rockets, that use a mixture of sugar and potassium nitrate.

Under questioning by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Monk, Kelly said he also has heard that Qassam rockets used in the Middle East also use that mixture as a propellant.

The trial continues.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at (813) 259-7837.

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