FBI arrests Energy Department employee accused of attempting to support Houthis
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FBI arrests Energy Department employee over alleged Houthi support
Provpnadvice.com – The FBI arrests Energy Department employee Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old Richland, Washington, resident assigned to the Hanford nuclear reservation, on accusations that he tried to provide material support to Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi movement.
Ellaboudy was taken into custody Thursday and charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis. Federal prosecutors allege that he sought to strengthen the group’s communications abilities, obtained materials linked to explosives and drones, and traveled to Yemen. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
“Ellaboudy acquired materials for the construction of explosive material and drones capable of delivering these explosives,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said. “These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination.”
Allegations involving equipment and technical advice
Investigators began examining Ellaboudy after learning of purchases of precursor chemicals, components, and other items commonly associated with homemade explosive devices. The FBI also identified purchases of parts that can be used in unmanned aircraft and remotely operated aerial systems.
Court records describe an incident in December 2024 in which Ellaboudy used sick leave from his job and said he had been exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid, a chemical that may be involved in producing explosive materials.
According to prosecutors, Ellaboudy later communicated with an FBI source who claimed to work for a Houthi “Colonel.” The conversations allegedly concerned equipment that could be sent to Yemen for a mobile communications center.
The FBI arrests Energy Department employee case also includes accusations that Ellaboudy used his electrical engineering background to advise on testing and modifying solar generators and communications equipment. Prosecutors say he provided diagrams and schematics, discussed connecting power and communications systems, and researched equipment that could improve Houthi communications capabilities.
Investigators examine Yemen travel
Authorities cited a September 2025 trip in their case. Prosecutors say Ellaboudy traveled from Richland to Oman using an official passport issued during his previous work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, then crossed into Yemen.
The alleged destination was Sanaa, the Yemeni capital controlled by the Houthis. After returning to the United States, Ellaboudy reportedly told Customs and Border Protection officers that he had traveled on official government business. His Department of Energy supervisor said no authorized government travel to the area had been approved.
The FBI arrests Energy Department employee allegation remains a criminal charge, not a conviction. Prosecutors must prove their case in court, and Ellaboudy has the right to challenge the accusations.
Why the allegations matter
The Houthis control significant territory in Yemen and have drawn international attention because of their location near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Communications equipment, solar-powered systems, drone components, and explosive materials could have practical value for a group operating across dispersed or infrastructure-limited areas.
Federal authorities have accused Ellaboudy of attempted support rather than alleging that equipment or materials were successfully transferred. The distinction will be central as the case proceeds through the justice system.
Hanford site and local context
Ellaboudy worked at the Hanford site near Richland, Washington, a major federal nuclear reservation. Established during the 1940s as part of the Manhattan Project, Hanford later played a significant role in U.S. weapons production and is now widely known for its extensive cleanup operations.
For residents of Richland and the surrounding Tri-Cities area, the FBI arrests Energy Department employee case concerns a worker connected to one of the region’s most prominent federal sites. The allegations do not establish wrongdoing by other Hanford employees or identify a broader threat to the site’s operations.
FAQ
Who was arrested in the case?
Federal authorities arrested Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a Department of Energy employee assigned to the Hanford nuclear reservation near Richland, Washington.
What is he accused of doing?
He is charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis. Prosecutors allege he sought to assist with communications equipment, drone-related components, explosive-related materials, and technical guidance.
Does the charge mean he has been convicted?
No. A criminal charge is an accusation, and prosecutors must prove the allegations in court. Ellaboudy is entitled to defend himself against the case.
