TAMPA, FL -- More than 2 years after he was first arrested and accused of being a terrorist, federal officials announced they will not retry Youssef Megahed on immigration charges.
In a statement released today, spokeswoman Nicole Navas said, "After carefully reviewing and evaluating the decision made by an immigration judge to terminate Megahed's removal proceedings, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has decided to not appeal the judge's decision."
This means the government has ended their case against him, and they will not try to deport the USF student.
"I am proud the government has made the correct decision here." said his immigration attorney Charles Kuck, "There is no case to appeal, as there was no evidence that Youssef had ever committed the acts of which the government accused him. This time, justice has prevailed.
Back in August Judge Kenneth Hurewitz threw out the government's case against Megahed, saying it did not have enough evidence to prove its case.
Officials wanted to deport Megahed, even though he was acquitted of explosives charges in federal court last April.
Days after the acquittal immigration officials re-arrested Megahed and charged the Egyptian national with civil violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Youssef Megahed was arrested along with a fellow University of South Florida student, Ahmed Mohamed in August 2007 in South Carolina. Deputies said they found dangerous explosives in the trunk.
Megahed's attorney argued they were carrying ingredients for model rocket motors.
Mohamed was sentenced to 15 years in prison for making a YouTube video showing would-be terrorists how to turn a remote-control toy into a bomb detonator. The 12-minute clip was found on a laptop computer inside the men's car.
Megahed's criminal attorney said that his client did not know the video existed. Megahed was readmitted to USF after last August's hearing.
