Megahed's Friends Offering Support

By THOMAS W. KRAUSE The Tampa Tribune

Published: Sep 22, 2007

TAMPA - The court file for a University of South Florida student who faces federal explosives charges includes 10 letters from supporters who describe the young man as "well adjusted," "responsible," "sincere," and a big fan of the freedoms afforded to U.S. residents.

The letters, many addressed to U.S. Magistrate Elizabeth Jenkins, were written by family, friends, fellow USF students and several people who attend the same mosque, as well as a few past and present landlords.

Youssef Megahed, 21, was arrested in South Carolina on Aug. 4. He was riding in a car driven by fellow USF student Ahmed Mohamed when a sheriff's deputy pulled them over for speeding. In the trunk, the deputy found objects initially described by investigators as "pipe bombs."

In a federal court hearing in Tampa, the objects were described by prosecutors as PVC pipes stuffed with a low-grade explosive that were not pipe bombs.

The letters in Megahed's court file describe him as a hard-working student who smiled often and had a special affection for his younger brother, who has Down syndrome.

Yaser Al-Dahoud, a certified public accountant, wrote that he remembers bowling, swimming and barbecuing with Megahed over their four-year friendship.

"Youssef always disapproved of the extremist groups in the Middle East that misrepresented what the Islamic Teachings stood for," he wrote.

Megahed, Al-Dahoud wrote, did not face any of the "socio-cultural and economical pressures" that would make him "easily influenced by any politically motivated ideologies."

Umar O'Keeffe, a former USF student working in information technologies, wrote that Megahed is tolerant and forgiving.

O'Keeffe wrote that he thinks Megahed is "wrongly accused."

"He is the kind of person incapable of any sort of destructive criminal behavior," the letter states.

Although a federal magistrate set bail for Megahed, prosecutors have appealed that decision.

Megahed will remain jailed at least until a federal judge can review the magistrate's decision.

Prosecutors have said Megahed is a danger to the community and a significant flight risk.

He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

His co-defendant, Mohamed, faces an additional charge of teaching how to make explosives with the intent to help terrorists. He waived a bail hearing.

None of the support letters in the court file mention him.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.