FBI: video meant to fight U.S. ‘infidels’

Suspended USF student Ahmed Mohamed had files on his computer with information on explosives, explosive ingredients and downloads from Web sites dedicated to explosive making, according to federal court documents.

In an affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Daniel J. McTavish Sept. 25 in a South Carolina federal court, specific details from a secretly taped conversation between Mohamed, 26, and Youssef Megahed, 21, revealed in-depth information about files found on Mohamed’s laptop.

McTavish said FBI Special Agents and other personnel reviewed the data on the hard drive and located a folder entitled “Bomb Shock,” which contained several files of information on explosive making.

The document stated that agents located another file titled “High-Order Explosives,” with extensive information on the operation and composition of TNT and C-4.

The affidavit also revealed that a 12-minute video with instructions on how to turn a remote-controlled toy vehicle into an explosive was made by a male individual with an Egyptian accent wearing a white shirt and khaki pants, with rubber gloves on his hands.

The affidavit said the male’s face was not shown but the voice is consistent with that of an Egyptian male.

In an interview with law enforcement agents, Mohamed, who is an Egyptian, acknowledged he made the videotape with the intent to “assist those persons in Arabic countries to defend themselves against the infidels invading their countries.”

Mohamed said he considered American troops and all military forces assisting the American military to be invaders of Arab countries and that the technology he demonstrated in the tape was to be used to against those who fought for the U.S.

The conversation was captured while Mohamed and Megahed, both speaking Arabic, were being transported from the traffic stop to the Goose Creek, S.C. detention center Aug. 4.

A deputy had stopped the men for speeding and decided to search the vehicle when Megahed closed Mohamed’s laptop and threw it into the back seat as the officer approached.

Investigators found pieces of PVC pipe filled with potassium nitrate, Karo syrup and kitty litter in the trunk of the car. A box of .22-caliber bullets, an electric drill and gasoline were also found.

According to McTavish, the 2002 Toyota Camry that the men drove remains in custody at the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina.

An arraignment hearing for both men will be held Wednesday.

Eric Smithers can be reached at (813) 974-1888 or oraclesmithers@gmail.com.