No bail for S. Fla. graduate in gun case

TAMPA, Fla., April 9 (UPI) -- A University of South Florida graduate convicted in a federal weapons case will not be released before his sentencing, a judge has ruled.

Karim Moussaoui of Morocco was arrested and charged with holding a firearm against the conditions of his student visa two days before he graduated from USF in Tampa with three degrees in computer studies, the Tampa, (Fla.) Tribune reported Wednesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Monk argued that Moussaoui has strong motivation to flee to Morocco because if he is freed authorities could arrest and eject him from the country.

Moussaoui was investigated by federal officials after two of his school mates, Youssef Megahed and Ahmed Mohamed, were taken into police custody in August in South Carolina for allegedly transporting explosives.

Authorities arrested Moussaoui after locating photos of him at a Tampa shooting range with Megahed, the newspaper said. Moussaoui told officials he only held the gun for 2 1/2 minutes, the newspaper said.