The Brief Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old Department of Energy employee from Richland, was arrested for allegedly attempting to provide material support, expert electrical engineering advice, and drone and explosive precursor materials to the Houthis. Federal authorities state Ellaboudy illegally traveled to Houthi-controlled Yemen using his official passport, lied to border officials about being on government business, and later provided technical diagrams and testing help to an undercover FBI source he believed was a Houthi colonel. Officials emphasized that preventing terrorism is a top priority, while the Department of Energy confirmed Ellaboudy's actions posed no threat to the safety or security of the Hanford nuclear site or its workforce.



A Richland, Washington man was arrested and charged Thursday morning with attempting to provide material support for the Houthis, a terrorist organization based in Yemen.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 51-year-old Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy worked for the Department of Energy in Richland, and previously for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Federal authorities say Ellaboudy purchased precursor chemicals, components and other materials used to build explosive devices, as well as parts used to build drones and remotely operate aerial systems.

WA worker suspected of conspiring with Houthis

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A criminal complaint sent to the FBI reported that Ellaboudy took sick leave in December 2024, saying he needed to recover after exposure to nitric acid, which is used to build explosive devices.

In September 2025, Ellaboudy reportedly used his Corps-issued official passport to fly from Richland to Oman, then crossed the border into Yemen, specifically into the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa.

When Ellaboudy returned, authorities say he told U.S. Customs and Border Protection he had traveled overseas on official government business, but his Department of Energy supervisor disputed this.

 As alleged, a U.S. government employee traveled overseas and used his specialized expertise in an attempt to aid the Houthis, a desig

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