Mohamed with Megahed behind him in court. Graphic source: AP.
Most likely, this is another cell nabbed but they will have their day in court. The Egyptian "students" at the University of South Florida were indicted on explosives charges and carrying pipe bombs across state lines. One of the Egyptians also did some teaching to the other "student" apparently; he faces terrorism charges for allegedly teaching the use of explosives.
The pair was speeding 4 August in South Carolina when they were stopped near a Goose Creek, South Carolina Navy base. The men also possessed pipe bombs.
Youssef Samir Megahed, 21, is an engineering student; Ahmed Abdellatif Sherif Mohamed, 24, is an engineering graduate student and teaching assistant, he faces terrorism charges for teaching and demonstrating how to use the explosives.
The indictment alleges that Mohamed taught and demonstrated the making and use of an explosive and destructive device with the intent that such information be used for . . . an activity that constitutes a federal crime of violence, according to the written federal prosecution statement.
Enemy combatants had been held at the Navy base so the FBI is investigating whether there was a terrorism link.
Mohamed was charged with distributing information relating to explosives which seems like a non-offense to me. Information should be available, and is, to anyone who seeks it out. The possession of destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction, is something else, and rightfully is a terrorism-related statute. The crime carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Both indictees face with charges of transporting explosives in interstate commerce without permits, which carries a 10-year prison penalty.
Local authorities carried the ball here initially and their suspicions resulted in a more vigorous case.
The local sheriff in South Carolina said the explosives were "other than fireworks."
The four-week investigation resulted in charges that followed several searches in Tampa, including a storage facility, and a park where the explosives might have been tested.
Both Mohamed and Megahed are here legally on student visas. Neither of their names though appear on USF's engineering website for students.
This looks like astute local police enforcement if the indictments hold up in court.
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