Suspect allegedly linked to terror group arrested in U.S.

HOUSTON, May 24 (Xinhua) -- A man was arrested in the U.S. on charges that he lied to get into the U.S. and tried to get a sensitive Defense Department position, U.S. media reported on Friday.

Wissam Allouche, 44, appeared for an initial hearing Friday afternoon, according to the website of The Houston Chronicle.

Allouche allegedly tried to cover up his affiliation with Hezbollah, said Erik Vasys, spokesman for the FBI in San Antonio.

It is believed that Allouche "was looking to secure a sensitive position with the U.S. government at some point," Vasys said.

The indictment said Allouche had married a U.S. citizen and was going through the naturalization process. During that process, he reportedly lied when asked if he had ever been a member of or associated with a terrorist organization.

Washington has branded Hezbollah as a terrorist group allied with Iran and the Syrian government headed by President Bashar al-Assad.

If convicted, Allouche faces up to 10 years in prison, according to the report.