Judge Nixes Megahed Bail Bid {Goose Creek}
Tampa Tribune ^ | October 26, 2007 | ELAINE SILVESTRINI
www2.tbo.com
TAMPA - A University of South Florida student charged with transporting explosives will not be released on bail, a federal judge ruled Thursday. In ruling that Youssef Megahed poses a flight risk and a danger to the community, Judge Steven D. Merryday overturned a ruling by federal magistrate, who said the defendant could be released on $200,000 bail under strict conditions.
Merryday wrote ... that no conditions would stop Megahed if he "wants to blow something up or cause a disturbance. ... I am unwilling at the prospective cost of property damage, injury or death to assume he will not do so."
Megahed's attorney, public defender Adam Allen, said, "We respect the court's ruling but are disappointed... "
Megahed, 21, was arrested Aug. 4 in South Carolina along with fellow USF student Ahmed Mohamed, 26, after deputies found explosives in the trunk of the car in which the two men were riding, authorities said. Mohamed was driving the care, which was registered to Megahed's brother.
...Megahed is a legal, permanent U.S. resident, and Mohamed has a student visa. Both are charged with illegally transporting explosives. Mohamed also is charged with trying to help terrorists by teaching or demonstrating the use of explosives...
"The evidence fails to establish or even suggest any innocent or wholesome explanation for the events that led to Megahed's arrest," Merryday wrote....
The judge said Megahed has a $3,000 balance in his checking account, but his parents do not require him to contribute to household expenses. "Neither Megahed's father nor his mother works outside the home, but the family enjoys substantial business ties and interests in Egypt."...The judge also said he didn't consider the fact that investigators found a remote-controlled toy boat in the Megahed home....
(Excerpt) Read more at 2.tbo.com .... |
