An employee for the Department of Energy was charged with allegedly attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis, the Department of Justice announced on Thursday.
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old resident of Richland, Washington, is accused of helping the foreign terrorist organization by acquiring materials for homemade explosives and drones and by trying to improve the Iran proxy’s communications capabilities. The DOJ also alleges the U.S. government employee traveled to Yemen with the intent to visit the Houthi-controlled capital city, Sanaa.
Using an official passport from his time in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ellaboudy traveled from Richland to Oman before crossing the border to Yemen in September 2025. When he returned to the United States, the suspect told Customs and Border Protection that the purpose of his overseas trip was on official government business. His department supervisor later told federal authorities that he had no authorized travel to that region.
“These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said in a press release.
Ellaboudy, who was arrested by the FBI earlier Thursday, worked at the Energy Department’s field office in Hanford, Washington. The office said Ellaboudy did not try to harm the site or its workforce.
“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,” Office Manager Ray Geimer said. “We remain committed to providing a safe and secure workplace as we move the Hanford mission forward.”
In December 2024, Ellaboudy took sick leave from his employment because he was exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid, which is used to make explosive materials.
During the FBI investigation that led to his arrest, Ellaboudy was in contact with an informant who claimed to be working for a Houthi “colonel” to acquire communications equipment that would be shipped to Yemen to be used in a mobile communications center. Ellaboudy provided guidance to the informant on how to enhance the Houthis’ communications equipment.
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The defendant’s arrest came amid the U.S. war with Iran, which has remained unresolved for over seven months since its start.
Ellaboudy is set to make his initial appearance in federal court at 11 a.m. Friday local time in Richland. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.