Department of Energy employee arrested for allegedly trying to provide material support to Houthis
Federal authorities arrested a Department of Energy employee Thursday in Washington state for allegedly trying to provide material support to the foreign terrorist organization, the Houthis.
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy has been charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis after he allegedly purchased precursor chemicals for homemade explosive devices and provided guidance to an undercover FBI source.
Court records alleged Ellaboudy traveled to Oman in 2024, before crossing the border into Houthi-occupied Yemen. He allegedly told U.S. officials upon his return that he traveled to the Middle East on official government business, but Ellaboudy’s supervisor said he did not have authorized official government travel to that region.
“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 Eisenberg said.
“Additionally, Ellaboudy acquired materials for the construction of explosive material and drones capable of delivering these explosives," he continued. "These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination.”
The Justice Department claimed that an investigation found Ellaboudy communicated with an FBI confidential human source who claimed to work 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 to the individual, based upon his background in electrical engineering, by helping them test and modify solar power generators and communication equipment.
He also provided guidance on how the power and communication systems integrated, provided schematics and diagrams for the proper setup of the systems and provided information on other equipment that could enhance the communication equipment of the Houthis.
Ellaboudy has not entered a plea yet and is expected to appear before a federal magistrate judge on Friday. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
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