Washington DOE Employee Charged With Attempting to Support Houthis

A Department of Energy employee from Richland, Washington, has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Federal prosecutors say 51-year-old Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy was arrested in Washington and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted. According to the Justice Department and federal court records, Ellaboudy came to the FBI's attention after investigators received information that he had purchased precursor chemicals, components and other materials commonly used to construct homemade explosive devices. Investigators also allege Ellaboudy purchased parts used to construct drones and remotely operated aerial systems. Ellaboudy worked as an engineer for the Department of Energy and previously worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He also previously served in the U.S. Navy. Federal investigators also examined Ellaboudy's overseas travel. According to the federal complaint, Ellaboudy traveled from Richland to Oman in September 2025 using an official passport previously issued to him while working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Prosecutors allege Ellaboudy used that passport to cross from Oman into Yemen with the intent of traveling to Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital. After returning to the United States, investigators say Ellaboudy told U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that his overseas travel had been official government business. Federal authorities say information later obtained from Ellaboudy's Department of Energy supervisor showed he had no authorized government travel to the region. The investigation also involved an FBI confidential human source who purported to work for a Houthi colonel. Prosecutors allege Ellaboudy believed he was helping acquire and develop communications equipment for the Houthis and provided electrical-engineering expertise to test and modify solar power generators and communications equipment. The Justice Department says Ellaboudy provided guidance on integrating the systems, produced schematics and diagrams and researched additional equipment that could improve Houthi communications capabilities. The FBI's Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case. The Department of Energy's Hanford Field Office says the alleged conduct did not involve an attempt to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce and that there was never a threat to the site's safety or security. Ellaboudy is charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charges are allegations. Ellaboudy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, Richland, the Department of Energy, the Houthis, Yemen, the FBI, federal terrorism investigations and Washington state news. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #WashingtonState #RichlandWA #DepartmentOfEnergy #Houthis #Yemen #FBI #DOJ #NationalSecurity #Hanford #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus