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FBI Arrests DOE Employee for Allegedly Aiding Houthi Terrorists in Yemen
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Firstpost•02-10-2026, 10:54
FBI Arrests DOE Employee for Allegedly Aiding Houthi Terrorists in Yemen
- •Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a Department of Energy employee at the Hanford nuclear site, was arrested for allegedly attempting to provide material support to the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist group in Yemen.
- •Ellaboudy is accused of trying to help the Houthis improve communications, purchasing materials for homemade explosives and drones, and traveling to Yemen.
- •The FBI investigation began after receiving information that Ellaboudy purchased precursor chemicals and components for explosive devices and drone parts.
- •Ellaboudy allegedly took sick leave, claiming exposure to nitric acid, and later traveled to Oman and crossed into Yemen, intending to reach Houthi-controlled Sanaa.
- •He provided expert advice and assistance to a bureau source, believing they worked for a Houthi "colonel," helping test and modify solar power generators and communication equipment for the group.
Key Questions Answered
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old Department of Energy employee from Richland, Washington, was arrested by the FBI on suspicion of trying to aid the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen.
Ellaboudy was charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
He was accused of trying to help improve the group's communications capabilities, purchasing materials for homemade explosives and drones, and traveling to Yemen via Oman. He also used his electrical engineering background to provide expert advice and schematics for integrating solar power generators and communication equipment.
