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DOE employee arrested for allegedly aiding Houthi terrorists
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old Department of Energy electrical engineer from Richland, Washington, has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Houthis, an Iran-backed terrorist organization.
Federal authorities allege that Ellaboudy used his specialized engineering expertise to assist the group in improving its communications capabilities and optimizing solar power generators. Investigators also claim he purchased precursor chemicals for homemade explosives and components for drones and remotely operated aerial systems.
Court documents state that in September 2025, Ellaboudy used an official government passport to travel from Washington to Oman and then into Houthi-controlled Yemen. Upon his return to the United States, he allegedly told border agents he was traveling on official government business, a claim disputed by his supervisor. Additionally, in December 2024, he reportedly took sick leave after claiming exposure to nitric acid, a chemical used in bomb-making.
Officials emphasized that the alleged crimes did not involve any attempt to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce. If convicted, Ellaboudy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Entities
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy · Department of Energy · FBI · Hanford Site · Houthis
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 17 SOURCES] Ellaboudy used an official passport to travel from Washington to Oman and then into Houthi-controlled Yemen in September 2025. 97rockonline.com · elkhornmediagroup.com · www.fox13seattle.com · www.fox5atlanta.com · wltreport.com · +12 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Upon returning to the U.S., Ellaboudy allegedly told border agents he was traveling on official government business, a claim disputed by his supervisor. elkhornmediagroup.com · www.fox13seattle.com · www.fox5atlanta.com · wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com · +10 more
- [● 21 SOURCES] Ellaboudy allegedly purchased precursor chemicals for explosives and components for drones and remotely operated aerial systems. 97rockonline.com · www.archynewsy.com · elkhornmediagroup.com · www.fox13seattle.com · lynnwoodtimes.com · +16 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] If convicted, Ellaboudy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. www.archynewsy.com · elkhornmediagroup.com · fatoamazonico.com.br · www.mangalorean.com · www.socialnews.xyz
- [● 12 SOURCES] In December 2024, Ellaboudy took sick leave claiming exposure to nitric acid, a chemical used in bomb-making. 97rockonline.com · www.archynewsy.com · elkhornmediagroup.com · www.fox13seattle.com · www.fox5atlanta.com · +7 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Ellaboudy allegedly provided technical guidance to help the Houthis optimize communications equipment and solar power generators. elkhornmediagroup.com · lynnwoodtimes.com · justthenews.com · www.arabnews.pk · www.bangordailynews.com · +3 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Authorities stated the alleged crimes did not involve attempts to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce. elkhornmediagroup.com · lynnwoodtimes.com · www.portadaestrela.com · justthenews.com
- [● 20 SOURCES] Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old Department of Energy employee, was arrested for allegedly attempting to provide material support to the Houthis. 97rockonline.com · www.archynewsy.com · elkhornmediagroup.com · www.fox13seattle.com · lynnwoodtimes.com · +15 more