US authorities have arrested a 51-year-old employee of the Department of Energy, Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, for allegedly attempting to provide material support to Yemen’s Houthis.
The US Department of Justice said Ellaboudy, a resident of Richland, Washington, was arrested on Thursday and charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis, which the US designates as a foreign terrorist organisation.
According to court documents, investigators allege that Ellaboudy acquired precursor chemicals and other materials used in homemade explosive devices, as well as components for drones and remotely operated aerial systems.
The complaint also alleges that Ellaboudy travelled from Washington to Oman in September 2025 using an official passport previously issued to him during his employment with the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Authorities said he subsequently crossed from Oman into Yemen and intended to travel to Sanaa, the capital controlled by the Houthis.
Upon returning to the US, Ellaboudy allegedly told Customs and Border Protection officials that he had travelled overseas on official government business. However, his Energy Department supervisor told investigators that he had no authorised government travel to the region.
The FBI also alleges that Ellaboudy communicated with a confidential source posing as a Houthi colonel and provided technical assistance on communications equipment.
According to the Justice Department, Ellaboudy used his background in electrical engineering to help test and modify solar power generators and communications equipment and provided guidance on their integration.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said Ellaboudy allegedly used his specialised expertise in an attempt to assist the Houthis.
Ellaboudy is scheduled to make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Richland, Washington, on October 2.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charges remain allegations, and Ellaboudy is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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