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US Department of Energy employee Houthi support arrest
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2026-10-02 12:32 UTC → 2026-10-02 19:39 UTC ·
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Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old electrical engineer for the U.S. Department of Energy, has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Federal authorities and the FBI allege that Ellaboudy sought to assist the Iran-backed group by improving its communications capabilities and optimizing solar power generators. Investigators claim he purchased components for drones and remotely operated aerial systems, as well as precursor chemicals for homemade explosives, including nitric acid and acid, ammonium nitrate. nitrate, acetone, and sodium bisulfate. Court documents and affidavits indicate that in September 2024, 2025, Ellaboudy used a service passport to passport—issued during his previous service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—to travel from Washington to Oman and into Houthi-controlled Yemen. Upon his return to the United States, he reportedly told border officials he was on an official government mission to inspect missile defense systems, a claim his supervisor disputed. An FBI affidavit notes that Ellaboudy told undercover informants he had to be smuggled into and out of Yemen and had hoped to establish connections in Sanaa. Officials stated that the alleged crimes did not involve attempts to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce. If convicted, Ellaboudy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Versions
- 2026-10-02 19:39 UTC US Department of Energy employee Houthi support arrest
- 2026-10-02 12:32 UTC US Department of Energy employee Houthi support arrest
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