The immigration trial for former USF student Youssef Megahed was set for Aug. 17 by a federal immigration judge Friday, according to The Tampa Tribune.

Charles Kuck, an Atlanta immigration attorney representing Megahed, said to the Tribune that prosecutors would not use any of the evidence from Megahed’s federal criminal trial in April.

In a May 11 article in the Oracle, Kuck, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said he would represent Megahed for free.

“It’s the kind of thing that just ticks me off,” Kuck said. “When the government takes it this far, it shows you they can railroad anybody for doing anything. That’s why I took the case pro bono.”

According to the Tribune, the government is seeking to have Megahed deported on charges of affiliating with and supporting terrorist activity.

Kuck said to the Oracle that this was “one of the most ridiculous charges he had ever seen.”

Prosecutors must submit their evidence and witness lists for the immigration trial by July 7 and Kuck must submit his by Aug. 7, reported the Tribune.

In August 2007, Megahed was arrested along with former USF student Ahmed Mohamed in Charleston, S.C, after police pulled over Mohamed’s car for speeding. Both Megahed and Mohamed were arrested after the police discovered PVC pipes, fuses and other materials in the trunk of their vehicle.

Mohamed was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to aiding terrorists by posting a video on YouTube showing how to turn a remote-control toy into a detonator for a bomb.

Megahed, who is being held by immigration and customs enforcement, was acquitted April 3 of illegally transporting explosive materials and possessing a destructive device. He was arrested three days later by immigration agents.

When arrested in South Carolina, Megahed was one course away from graduating with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from USF.

— Staff report