Breaking News: A US Department of Energy worker has been arrested for allegedly attempting to provide material support to the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group.
A US Department of Energy employee has been charged with attempting to support the Iran-backed Houthi movement, according to the Department of Justice. Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, from Richland, Washington, is accused of using his engineering expertise to bolster Houthi mobile communications, drone capabilities, and explosives production. The arrest signals a broadening of Iranian influence, according to reporting.
The Justice Department alleges Ellaboudy travelled to Yemen in 2025 using a previous US Army Corps of Engineers passport, falsely claiming official government business upon his return. He is further accused of advising an FBI informant posing as a Houthi colonel, assisting with testing generators, modifying power systems, and creating circuit schematics. Prior to this, in 2024, Ellaboudy reportedly acquired materials used in the manufacture of explosives and drones, and falsely claimed exposure to nitric acid while on sick leave. Federal investigators initiated their inquiry after noticing his purchases of precursor chemicals and drone components.
“As alleged, a US government employee traveled overseas and used his specialized expertise in an attempt to aid the Houthis,” stated Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. FBI officials affirmed the case did not involve a threat to the Hanford Site, a nuclear facility where Ellaboudy was employed. “Iran’s proxy war has crossed oceans and is now knocking on America’s door,” reported Fox News.
The case highlights growing concern over Iranian-sponsored terrorism reaching US soil. If convicted, Ellaboudy faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 2nd.
Sources: Fox News, The Jerusalem Post.
