By Bill West
Youssef Megahed, a 23-year-old former student at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, last week was acquitted of federal explosives and related charges in U.S. District Court in Tampa. Those charges stemmed from Megahed traveling with a fellow Egyptian USF student in South Carolina in August 2007 with explosive material found in the trunk after a stop by local deputies. His confederate, Ahmed Mohamed, pled guilty to providing material support to terrorists after investigators discovered a how-to video on his computer showing wanna-be jihadis how to build remote control bombs out of simple toys so they might live to fight another day.
Jurors weren't convinced Megahed was in on Mohamed's plan. Megahed's freedom was short-lived, however. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested him Monday in Tampa. He faces removal (deportation) proceedings, reportedly based on similar charges to his criminal case.
Megahed's supporters have decried his most recent arrest, claiming it is unfair and akin to double jeopardy since he was just cleared by the federal jury in his criminal trial. Such a stance might be expected by his supporters, but it displays ignorance of U.S. immigration laws and procedures.
Megahed is reported to be a legal permanent resident alien residing in the United States. That means he is not a U.S. citizen. As such, he is subject to removal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Those provisions are not criminal in nature, but are administrative/civil violations. Removal charges can be based on criminal activity, activity contrary to national security and public safety, and some of those legal sections do not require conviction. Read more ...
Youssef Megahed, a 23-year-old former student at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, last week was acquitted of federal explosives and related charges in U.S. District Court in Tampa. Those charges stemmed from Megahed traveling with a fellow Egyptian USF student in South Carolina in August 2007 with explosive material found in the trunk after a stop by local deputies. His confederate, Ahmed Mohamed, pled guilty to providing material support to terrorists after investigators discovered a how-to video on his computer showing wanna-be jihadis how to build remote control bombs out of simple toys so they might live to fight another day.
Jurors weren't convinced Megahed was in on Mohamed's plan. Megahed's freedom was short-lived, however. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested him Monday in Tampa. He faces removal (deportation) proceedings, reportedly based on similar charges to his criminal case.
Megahed's supporters have decried his most recent arrest, claiming it is unfair and akin to double jeopardy since he was just cleared by the federal jury in his criminal trial. Such a stance might be expected by his supporters, but it displays ignorance of U.S. immigration laws and procedures.
Megahed is reported to be a legal permanent resident alien residing in the United States. That means he is not a U.S. citizen. As such, he is subject to removal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Those provisions are not criminal in nature, but are administrative/civil violations. Removal charges can be based on criminal activity, activity contrary to national security and public safety, and some of those legal sections do not require conviction. Read more ...
Source: IPT News
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