More information in today’s Democracy Now

TAMPA, FL – Officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have taken Youssef Megahed into custody. Plain-clothed ICE officers surrounded him and his father outside a local Wal-Mart a day after his acquittal on “bomb” charges.

In a written statement, ICE spokesman James Judge said, “Today, agents from ICE arrested Youssef Megahed, an Egyptian national for civil violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act.”

“Mr. Megahed has been placed into removal proceedings and is being held in ICE custody pending the outcome of his case. He will have the opportunity to present the facts of his case before an immigration judge.”

Megahed and fellow USF student Ahmed Mohamed were arrested in South Carolina in August 2007 after deputies said they found explosives in the trunk of their car during a traffic stop.

Defense attorneys for Megahed argued that the items were no more harmful than a road flare, and that his friend, Ahmed Mohamed, put the items in the car trunk without Megahed’s knowledge.

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.

Allen said that his client did not know the video existed.

Megahed was acquitted of federal explosives charges on Friday.