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Officials said he may have links to the terrorist group Hamas and admitted training at Lebanese guerrilla camps.
Hamas is a guerrilla group that has been staging suicide bombings in Israel.
Federal officials also said they believed Steitiye may have fradulently obtained U.S. Citizenship when he came to America 20 years ago.
Authorities said the joint terrorism task force, made up of federal agents and Portland police, took Steitiye into custody back in October after he allegedly tried to purchase an assault rifle in Tigard.
He was held as a possible material witness until his indictment, Portland's police chief and the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Authorities said a search of the suspect's home and car turned-up weapons, along with bogus social security and credit cards. In addition, agents found $20,000 cash, and a calendar with the date Sept. 11 circled in red.
It was not clear whether the suspect had circled the Sept. 11 date before or after the attacks on that day, police chief Mark Kroeker said.
Kroeker would not say whether the man is believed to have any links to the Sept. 11 terrorists.
"The connections he has to any individuals or other groups are specifically off limits for me to discuss," Kroeker said.
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