US Energy Department employee arrested over alleged Houthi support
Federal prosecutors charged Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old Richland, Washington, man who worked for the US Energy Department, with attempting to provide material support to the Houthis. The FBI alleges he acquired explosive-making materials, drone parts and communications equipment for intended shipment to Yemen.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Based on one source with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
Event date: Ellaboudy was arrested Thursday morning, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. [1]
What happened
Federal prosecutors charged Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, Washington, with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis. The arrest was announced by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. Department of Energy employee charged with trying to aid Yemen's Houthisbnonews.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 1:29 AM UTC
The FBI began investigating after receiving information that Ellaboudy had bought chemicals, components and other materials commonly used to make homemade explosives. Authorities also found parts used to construct drones and remotely operated aircraft. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. Department of Energy employee charged with trying to aid Yemen's Houthisbnonews.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 1:29 AM UTC
The complaint says Ellaboudy reported exposure to highly concentrated nitric acid while on sick leave in December 2024. The chemical is described in the reporting as commonly used in producing explosive materials. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. Department of Energy employee charged with trying to aid Yemen's Houthisbnonews.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 1:29 AM UTC
According to the complaint, Ellaboudy traveled from Richland to Oman on an official passport issued during earlier Army Corps of Engineers employment, then crossed into Yemen intending to reach Sanaa. His Energy Department supervisor told authorities the travel was not authorized government business. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. Department of Energy employee charged with trying to aid Yemen's Houthisbnonews.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 1:29 AM UTC
After his return, Ellaboudy allegedly told Customs and Border Protection that the trip had been official government business. During the investigation, he communicated with an FBI informant posing as someone connected to a Houthi colonel about communications equipment for a mobile communications center. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. Department of Energy employee charged with trying to aid Yemen's Houthisbnonews.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 1:29 AM UTC
Context from the sources
The case involves alleged support for the Houthis, an Iran-backed group in Yemen that the United States designates as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The charge concerns attempted material support, not a reported attack in the United States. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
1 source links · 1 domains
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Source timeline
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Questions answered by the reporting
What did investigators say he acquired?
The FBI said he purchased chemicals and components commonly used for homemade explosives, along with parts for drones and remotely operated aircraft. [1]
What this could mean for you
Authorities could increase scrutiny of exports and employees with access to sensitive technical materials.
The allegations involve chemicals, drone parts and communications equipment intended for a foreign armed group.
Reported basis: [1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Investigators or agencies determine that the alleged procurement exposed gaps in controls.
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Travel involving Yemen and nearby transit routes could receive additional law-enforcement scrutiny.
The complaint alleges travel from the United States through Oman into Yemen using a passport issued for earlier government employment.
Reported basis: [1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Authorities expand checks linked to suspected support networks.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
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What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Investigators establish that equipment or technical assistance reached Houthi-controlled Yemen.
Authorities identify additional people or procurement channels connected to the alleged activity.
Pressure eases if…
The court or investigators establish that the alleged materials were not transferred.
Security agencies confirm that no government systems or protected information were accessed.
Still unclear
The cited reporting does not establish whether the alleged equipment reached Yemen.
The court status, evidence response and any government-system access were not detailed.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (1)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
A Washington state man who worked for the U.S. Department of Energy has been arrested and charged with trying to support the Houthis, the Iran-backed…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
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