The indictment, returned last Thursday by a Miami federal grand jury, says
al-Garni mailed child porn images on his computer on Feb. 17, 2005, received
similar pictures on March 31, 2005, and stored the illegal materials on his
computer on April 26, 2005.
US Magistrate Judge Theodore Klein granted a $100,000 bond for al-Garni on
Tuesday. But with his pretrial release, al-Garni must wear an electronic ankle
bracelet for monitoring his movements and cannot use a computer.
''He's been receiving regular treatment from a psychologist, who advised the
court that Mr. al-Garni poses no danger to the community,'' said his attorney,
Robert Amsel.
Al-Garni, who lives with his brother in a Collins Avenue condo, is in the
country legally on a student visa. He is pursuing a master's degree at Nova
Southeastern University.
Both prosecutors and al-Garni's attorney said the defendant is the son of a
Saudi Air Force general.
Al-Garni, 24, faces at least five years in prison if convicted on the federal
charges, according to the US Attorney's Office. This is not the first time that
authorities have arrested al-Garni on child porn offenses.
Last spring, Miami Beach police nabbed him at his Collins Avenue condo on
numerous felony child-porn possession charges.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children contacted police a year
ago about child pornography being exchanged by an America Online user.
Investigators issued subpoenas to identify al-Garni as the user.
But Amsel said he believes the state charges are going to be dropped because
they have been incorporated into the federal indictment.
''I believe it's been a colossal waste of time and energy to prosecute a matter
for nine months only to turn it over to the federal government,'' Amsel said.
``My client also had to post bond twice.''
