US Energy Department Engineer Arrested for Aiding Houthi Rebels

Federal investigators arrested a 51-year-old Department of Energy electrical engineer on October 1, 2026, on charges of providing material support to the Houthi movement in Yemen, the U.S. Justice Department reported. Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, of Richland, Washington, faces federal charges for allegedly purchasing precursor chemicals for homemade explosives and drone parts, as well as traveling to Yemen to assist the Iran-backed group’s communications capabilities.

Federal Charges and Arrest in Richland

Ellaboudy was taken into custody on October 1, 2026, and scheduled for his initial court appearance on October 2, 2026, in federal court. Court records show no attorney available to speak on his behalf at the time of the initial filings. The Department of Energy employee is accused of violating federal law by providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The Houthis were designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.

“These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination,” John Eisenberg, the assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, said in a statement.

Investigation into Explosives and Drones

The FBI launched an investigation into Ellaboudy after discovering purchases of precursor chemicals typically used to construct homemade explosive devices. Investigators identified purchases of acetone and sodium bisulfate, alongside various components used in drone assembly.

During the inquiry, federal agents introduced undercover informants into the investigation. An FBI affidavit states that Ellaboudy communicated with multiple informants, including one posing as a Houthi colonel, and provided advice and technical assistance regarding communications equipment. Investigators say Ellaboudy’s primary objective was helping the Houthi rebels improve their communications capabilities.

Travel to Yemen and Disputed Work Missions

Ellaboudy traveled to Yemen last September, where Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government forces are engaged in active conflict. The FBI affidavit indicates that Ellaboudy told informants he had to be smuggled into and out of Yemen and hoped to reach the capital city of Sanaa to establish government-level connections, though he ultimately failed to reach the city.

Upon returning to the United States, Ellaboudy informed Customs and Border Protection officials that he was returning from Oman on a work trip. He claimed he was participating in a U.S. government mission to inspect missile defense systems. However, FBI agents interviewed Ellaboudy’s supervisor, who reported having no knowledge of any international travel or any Energy Department missile inspection program assigned to Ellaboudy.

Ellaboudy Lacks an Attorney as Court Details Remain Undisclosed

Court documents filed as of October 2, 2026, do not list an attorney available to represent Ellaboudy. Further details regarding the extent of the alleged communications network, potential co-conspirators, and the exact timeline of his upcoming court proceedings remain undisclosed by federal authorities.