US Energy Dept employee charged with aiding Houthis, faces 20-year term
Synopsis
A sitting US federal employee allegedly crossed into Houthi-controlled Yemen using a government passport, provided engineering schematics to improve terrorist communications, and acquired drone and explosive components — all while lying to customs officers about travelling on official business. The FBI's counterterrorism unit caught him in a sting operation.
Key Takeaways
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy , 51 , a US Department of Energy employee from Richland, Washington , was arrested on 2 October 2026 on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Houthis .
He allegedly travelled to Yemen in September 2025 using a government passport from his prior role with the US Army Corps of Engineers , without authorisation from his Energy Department supervisor.
Ellaboudy allegedly provided schematics, tested communications equipment, and helped integrate power systems to improve Houthi capabilities, according to prosecutors.
He also allegedly acquired precursor chemicals, drone parts, and materials for constructing improvised explosive devices.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; his first court appearance is scheduled in Richland on Friday.
A US Department of Energy employee has been arrested on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Houthis, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation, after allegedly travelling to Yemen and deploying his electrical engineering expertise to bolster the Iran-backed group's communications infrastructure, the US Justice Department announced on 2 October 2026.
Who Was Arrested and What He Is Accused Of
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, a resident of Richland, Washington, was taken into custody on Thursday morning and is scheduled to make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Richland on Friday. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
According to court records cited by the Justice Department, Ellaboudy first drew scrutiny from the FBI after authorities received information that he had purchased precursor chemicals, components, and other materials commonly used to construct improvised explosive devices. Investigators additionally found that he had acquired parts used to build drones and remotely operated aerial systems.
The Alleged Yemen Trip and Deception
The criminal complaint alleges that in December 2024, Ellaboudy took sick leave from his federal job, claiming he had been exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid — a chemical that can be used in the manufacture of explosive materials. Prosecutors further allege that in September 2025, he used an official passport previously issued to him during his tenure with the US Army Corps of Engineers to travel from Richland to Oman, and then crossed from Oman into Yemen, reportedly intending to reach Sanaa, the Yemeni capital under Houthi control.
Upon returning to the United States, Ellaboudy allegedly told US Customs and Border Protection officers that he had travelled on official government business. His Department of Energy supervisor subsequently confirmed to investigators that no authorised government travel to the region had been sanctioned.
FBI Sting and Technical Assistance Alleged
During the investigation, Ellaboudy reportedly began communicating with an FBI confidential human source who posed as a representative working for a Houthi 'Colonel.' The source was purportedly seeking communications equipment for a mobile communications centre in Yemen.
Prosecutors allege that Ellaboudy used his engineering background to help test and modify solar power generators and communications equipment, explained how power and communications systems could be integrated, provided schematics and diagrams for their installation, and researched additional equipment to improve Houthi communications capabilities. He also allegedly acquired materials for the construction of explosive devices and drones capable of delivering those explosives.
What Officials Said
John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said: '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. Additionally, Ellaboudy acquired materials for the construction of explosive material and drones capable of delivering these explosives.'
Jarod Brown, Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, said: '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.'
Broader Context and What Comes Next
The case marks a rare instance of an active federal employee being charged with attempting to aid a US-designated terrorist organisation. The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, have been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and have been engaged in attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea as well as missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US naval assets. This development comes amid sustained US and allied military operations against Houthi infrastructure in Yemen.
The case is expected to proceed to a full federal arraignment following Ellaboudy's Friday appearance before the magistrate. The Justice Department has not publicly detailed whether any additional suspects are under investigation in connection with the alleged plot.
Point of View
Shared technical schematics, and lied to customs on the way home — all apparently undetected until an FBI tip. It raises uncomfortable questions about how a Department of Energy employee with access to sensitive knowledge acquired explosive precursors and drone components without triggering internal alarms. The US government has spent billions hardening its cyber and physical perimeters against foreign infiltration; this case suggests the human-insider vector remains dangerously undermonitored, particularly when the operative is a credentialed professional rather than a radicalised outsider.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy and what is he charged with?
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy is a 51-year-old US Department of Energy employee from Richland, Washington, charged with attempting to provide material support to the Houthis, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation. He was arrested on 2 October 2026 and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
How did Ellaboudy allegedly travel to Yemen?
Prosecutors allege he used an official passport from his earlier role with the US Army Corps of Engineers to travel from Richland to Oman in September 2025, then crossed overland into Yemen intending to reach Sanaa. He allegedly told US customs officers upon return that the trip was official government business, which his Energy Department supervisor denied.
What kind of assistance did Ellaboudy allegedly provide to the Houthis?
According to the criminal complaint, Ellaboudy used his electrical engineering background to test and modify solar power generators and communications equipment, provided schematics and diagrams for integrating power and communications systems, and researched ways to improve Houthi communications capabilities. He also allegedly acquired materials for explosive devices and drones.
How did the FBI catch him?
Ellaboudy first came to the FBI's attention after authorities received a tip that he had purchased precursor chemicals and drone components. Investigators then introduced a confidential human source posing as a Houthi 'Colonel's' representative, through whom Ellaboudy allegedly provided technical assistance and schematics.
What happens next in the case?
Ellaboudy is scheduled to make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Richland, Washington, on Friday. The Justice Department has not publicly indicated whether additional suspects are under investigation in connection with the alleged plot.
