May 2, 2009
The NEFA Foundation has released the seventeenth installment in the "Target: America" series, which examines the discovery of explosive materials in the trunk of a car in Goose Creek, South Carolina in the course of a routine car stop that took place in August 2007.
This report, originally released on December 8, 2008, was updated on December 20, 2008, to reflect that Ahmed Abdellatif Sherif Mohamed was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and updated again on April 30, 2009 to reflect that Youssef Samir Megahed was found not guilty of possessing explosives by a Florida jury on April 3, 2009. However, Megahed was re-arrested on April 6, 2009 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on immigration charges. He is currently awaiting a hearing.
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NEFA's "Target: America" series examines the multitude of terrorist plots directed at the United States since 9/11, drawing primarily on court filings and other official sources. The "Target: America" memos, which Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Reports identified as "very good reads for CT professionals," provide detailed insight into terrorist targeting strategies and tactics.
The NEFA Foundation has released the seventeenth installment in the "Target: America" series, which examines the discovery of explosive materials in the trunk of a car in Goose Creek, South Carolina in the course of a routine car stop that took place in August 2007.
The subjects, both Egyptian nationals who studied engineering at the University of South Florida, were arrested for transporting explosives across state lines without a license. Ultimately, one, Ahmed Abdellatif Sherif Mohamed, pled guilty to support of terrorism after investigators learned that he had created an instructional video, which he had posted to YouTube, showing how a remote-control toy could be used as a detonation device. Both subjects had demonstrated an ongoing interest in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), particularly in their use against U.S. troops in the Middle East. Investigators found evidence of their online visits to Hamas websites and websites that provided instructions for building IEDs. For several months prior to their arrest, Mohamed was gathering materials to build an IED. Through letters and poems, Mohamed has shown his hatred for the United States and his support for the leaders of violent jihad.
Not only does this case study provide an excellent example of vigilant police work, it also serves as a model for counter-terrorism analysts who seek to identify how a domestic terror cell might form, and the possible indicators of violent intentions.
Note: Due to the dynamic nature of these reports, updates will be provided when available.
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The NEFA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, charitable organization created after the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Foundation strives to help prevent future tragedies in the U.S. and abroad by exposing those responsible for planning, funding, and executing terrorist activities, with a particular emphasis on Islamic militant organizations.
