DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EMPLOYEE ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF ATTEMPTING TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO HOUTHIS

A Department of Energy employee in Washington state has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis, a designated foreign terrorist organization, following an FBI counterterrorism investigation involving alleged overseas travel, communications equipment, explosive-material precursors and drone components.

Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, Washington, was arrested Thursday morning. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Richland on Oct. 2 at 11:00 a.m.

According to the criminal complaint, Ellaboudy came to the FBI’s attention after investigators received information that he had purchased precursor chemicals, components and other materials commonly used in the construction of homemade explosive devices.

The investigation also found that Ellaboudy had purchased parts used to construct drones and remotely operated aerial systems.

The complaint alleges that in December 2024, the FBI learned Ellaboudy had taken sick leave from his government employment after claiming exposure to highly concentrated nitric acid. Nitric acid can be used in the production of explosive materials.

Federal investigators later examined overseas travel undertaken by Ellaboudy in September 2025. According to court records, he traveled from Richland to Oman using an official passport that had previously been issued to him while he was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Authorities allege that after arriving in Oman, Ellaboudy used the same official passport to cross into Yemen with the intention of traveling to Sanaa, the country’s capital, which is controlled by the Houthis.

After returning to the United States, Ellaboudy allegedly told U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that the overseas trip had been conducted as part of official government business.

Investigators later received information from Ellaboudy’s Department of Energy supervisor indicating that he had not been authorized to conduct official government travel to that region.

The investigation then expanded into Ellaboudy’s alleged technical assistance involving communications systems.

According to the complaint, Ellaboudy began communicating with an FBI confidential human source who purported to be working for a Houthi “Colonel.” The communications centered on obtaining equipment that investigators said was intended to be sent to Yemen for use in a mobile communications center.

Federal authorities allege that Ellaboudy used his background in electrical engineering to provide technical expertise and assistance.

The complaint states that he helped the confidential source test and modify solar-powered generators and communications equipment. He also allegedly provided guidance concerning how electrical power systems and communications systems should be integrated.

Investigators said Ellaboudy supplied schematics and diagrams for properly configuring the systems and researched additional equipment that could improve Houthi communications capabilities.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the allegations involve a U.S. government employee who traveled overseas and attempted to use specialized expertise to aid the Houthis. Eisenberg also cited Ellaboudy’s alleged acquisition of materials associated with explosive devices and drones capable of carrying explosives.

FBI Counterterrorism Division Assistant Director Jarod Brown said the complaint alleges Ellaboudy attempted to improve the organization’s communications capabilities, purchased materials connected to homemade explosives and drones and traveled to Yemen.

“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,” Department of Energy Hanford Field Office Manager Ray Geimer said.

If convicted of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, Ellaboudy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

The FBI’s Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Cartier-Giroux for the Eastern District of Washington and Trial Attorneys Patrick Cashman and Ryan White of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. Ellaboudy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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