Authorities arrested Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, a Department of Energy employee based in Washington State, on charges of attempting to provide material support to Houthis, the terrorist group based in Yemen.
“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,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Additionally, Ellaboudy acquired materials for the construction of explosive material and drones capable of delivering these explosives. These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination.”
The Iranian-backed terrorist group has been attacking Israel and Saudi Arabia for quite some time.
In July, Iran told the Houthis to close the strategic Red Sea Strait if America escalated its war with the regime.
Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland, seeing it as a crucial ally to counter the Houthi terror threat.
The FBI Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force focused on Ellaboudy when agents learned he “purchased precursor chemicals, components, and other materials commonly used in the construction of homemade explosive devices.”
Ellaboudy also bought parts to construct drones and remotely operate aerial systems.
“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. “According to the criminal complaint, Ellaboudy tried to assist the terrorist group improve its communications capabilities, he purchased materials for homemade explosives and drones, and he traveled to Yemen where the Houthis control the capital city. Preventing terrorism and protecting the U.S. homeland is a vital part of the FBI’s mission. We will use all our resources and work closely with our partners to identify and stop anyone planning to commit acts of terrorism or to help terrorist organizations.”
From the press release:
The complaint alleges that in December 2024, the FBI learned that Ellaboudy took sick leave from his employment, claiming that it was due to having been exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid, a common chemical used in the construction of explosive materials. In September 2025, Ellaboudy, using an official passport previously issued to him when employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, traveled from Richland, Washington to Oman. Upon arriving in Oman, Ellaboudy used this same passport to cross the border into Yemen with the intent on traveling to Sanaa, Yemen, the country’s capital, which is under the control of the Houthis. Upon returning to the United States, Ellaboudy stated to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers that he had travelled overseas on official government business. Subsequent information from Ellaboudy’s DOE supervisor revealed he did not have any authorized official government travel to that region.
During the investigation, Ellaboudy began communicating with an FBI confidential human source (CHS) who purported to be working for a Houthi “Colonel” to acquire communications equipment that would be sent to Yemen for use in a mobile communications center. Ellaboudy provided expert advice and assistance, based upon his background in electrical engineering, by helping the CHS test and modify solar power generators and communication equipment. Additionally, Ellaboudy provided guidance on how the power systems and communication system integrated, provided schematics and diagrams for the proper setup of the systems, and conducted research and provided guidance on other equipment that could be acquired to enhance the communications equipment of the Houthis.
Ellaboudy faces up to 20 years in prison.
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