Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old U.S. Department of Energy worker from Richland, Washington, was arrested and charged with attempting to provide support to the Iran-backed Houthis, including improving their communications infrastructure and acquiring materials for explosives and drones. The FBI’s investigation revealed that Ellaboudy used his electrical engineering expertise to test solar generators and modify power systems for the terrorist group during a trip from Oman into Yemen in 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, with an initial court appearance scheduled for October 2.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-02,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old Department of Energy employee from Richland, Washington, was arrested by the FBI on charges of attempting to provide support to the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen. The DOJ alleges that Ellaboudy bought materials for homemade explosives and drones and attempted to improve the Houthis' communications capabilities. In September 2025, he traveled from Richland through Oman into Yemen, claiming on his return to U.S. Customs and Border Protection that his trip was part of a government mission, which his supervisor denied knowledge of.
The FBI's investigation revealed Ellaboudy used an official passport from his time in the Army Corps of Engineers for the unauthorized travel and made plans through contacts claiming to be Houthi officials to smuggle communications equipment into Yemen. Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg described these actions as "deeply disturbing." The case highlights the potential risks posed by government employees engaging in activities that support designated foreign terrorist organizations.
Written for “DOE Employee Charged For Houthis Support” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.
A U.S. Department of Energy worker from Richland, Washington, was arrested Thursday and charged with attempting to provide "material support" to the Iran-backed Houthis, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
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worker → arrest → Justice
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, is accused of attempting to use his electrical engineering knowledge and background to support the terrorist group in improving its mobile communications infrastructure, secure components for drones as well as chemicals for homemade explosives.
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Ellaboudy → accuse → explosives
"As alleged, a U.S. government employee traveled overseas and used his specialized expertise in an attempt to aid the Houthis, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization backed by Iran," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said in a statement.
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Eisenberg → allege → statement
"Additionally, Ellaboudy acquired materials for the construction of explosive material and drones capable of delivering these explosives.
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Ellaboudy → acquire → explosives
These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination."
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they → defy → imagination
Federal authorities took Ellaboudy into custody following an investigation by the FBI’s Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force.
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authorities → take → Force
According to court records, Ellaboudy first attracted the FBI’s attention after buying precursor chemicals, or starting ingredients, and components that are often used in homemade explosives, as well as parts to make drones.
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that → accord → drones
The DOJ said that in 2024, Ellaboudy took sick leave from his Department of Energy job and said he had been exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid — a key chemical compound used in explosive manufacturing.
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he → say → manufacturing
In 2025, prosecutors allege Ellaboudy used an official passport from his previous role with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to travel from Washington state to Oman.
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Ellaboudy → allege → Oman
He then crossed into Yemen.
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He → cross → Yemen
After returning to the U.S., Ellaboudy told border officers his trip was authorized government business.
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trip → return → officers
Investigators also said Ellaboudy advised an undercover FBI confidential human source posing as a representative of a Houthi colonel.
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Ellaboudy → say → colonel
For the Houthis, Ellaboudy allegedly tested solar generators, modified power systems, created circuit schematics and provided support to the group’s communications, the statement said.
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statement → test → communications
"This individual allegedly betrayed the U.S. and attempted to aid the Houthis, a designated foreign terrorist organization, but thanks to the work of the men and women of the FBI, his actions were detected and he is now in custody," said Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division.
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Brown → betray → Division
Officials also confirmed Ellaboudy's alleged activities did not target local nuclear facilities.
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activities → confirm → facilities
"This matter did not involve an attempt to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce, and at no time was there a threat to the safety or security of the site," said Ray Geimer, office manager of the Department of Energy Hanford Field Office.
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Geimer → involve → Office
Ellaboudy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
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Ellaboudy → face → prison
He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance before a federal magistrate judge at 11 a.m. Oct. 2 in Richland, according to the Justice Department.
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He → schedule → Department
The Aporia
