Student Pleads Guilty to Terrorist Support

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Associated Press
Thursday, June 19, 2008

TAMPA, Fla., June 18 -- An Egyptian college student pleaded guilty Wednesday to making a video demonstrating how to build a remote bomb detonator to help terrorists kill enemies including American soldiers.

Ahmed Abdellatif Sherif Mohamed, 26, one of two University of South Florida students arrested after a South Carolina traffic stop in August, pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced in September.

Mohamed and fellow Egyptian student Youssef Samir Megahed were arrested after deputies stopped them for speeding near Charleston, S.C., and found what they described as pipe bombs in the trunk of their car.

Deputies also found a laptop with the 12-minute video, which had been uploaded to YouTube.

In the video, Mohamed demonstrates how to convert a remote-controlled car into a detonator. He speaks in Arabic, saying he wants to teach "martyrdoms" and "suiciders" how to save themselves so they can continue to fight invaders.

Megahed, 22, was not charged in connection with the video. He is awaiting trial on federal charges of transporting explosives and possession of a destructive device.