Yemen-Born Trio Tagged in Espionage Bust

(Fresno, California) Three naturalized U.S. citizens, born in Yemen, have been accused of selling secret defense information and equipment without State Department authorization. They were indicted by a federal grand jury Aug. 31 in Fresno in the Eastern California District.

Amen Ahmed Ali, 56, and Ibrahim Omer, 40, have been arrested and Mohamed Al-Rahimi, 62, remains at large. The three, said to be relatives with ties to Bakersfield, California, were targets of an undercover investigation which spanned two and one-half years.

After his Thursday arrest inside the cigarette store he owns in Bakersfield, Ali appeared in court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to several charges including conspiracy and unlawful export of defense equipment.

From ABC30.com:

Investigators intercepted a container Ali allegedly tried to send through the US port at Long Beach to his home country of Yemen. The box contained military items that require a license to export.

Though officials won't say whether Ali is connected to any known terrorist groups, they do stress the seriousness and danger of him allegedly seeking secret government information.

In a different report, officials blame Ali, along with Omer and Al-Rahimi, for sending night vision goggles, chemical suits, and body armor to Yemen between 2003 and 2004. They are also suspected of acquiring and sending secret defense information.

Omer, of Ft. Worth, Texas, is being held in a Bossier City, Louisiana, jail. Al-Rahimi may be in Yemen. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.