The case of a federal employee arrested and charged with trying to help the Houthis

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest of Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, an employee of the Department of Energy (DOE) accused of attempting to provide "material support or resources" to the Houthis, an organization designated by Washington, D.C., as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Ellaboudy, 51, is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

According to the indictment, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began investigating Ellaboudy after receiving information about purchases of chemicals and components used to manufacture explosives, as well as parts related to drones and remotely piloted aerial systems.

U.S. law prohibits knowingly providing certain goods, services, training, or assistance to organizations designated as terrorist groups, in this case, the Houthis. The concept of "material support" also includes specialized advice or assistance, even when it stems from technical or scientific expertise.

According to the indictment, Ellaboudy allegedly attempted to make his professional expertise and technical assistance available to the Houthis.

In December 2024, Ellaboudy reportedly took a leave of absence, claiming to have been exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid, a substance that can be used in certain processes related to explosives.

The investigation also uncovered a trip he took in September 2025, when he flew from Washington, D.C., to Oman. From Oman, he entered Yemen with the intention of reaching Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital.

Upon returning to the United States, he reportedly told Customs and Border Protection agents that he had traveled on official government business. However, his supervisor at the DOE later indicated that he was not authorized to take that official trip.

During the investigation, Ellaboudy began communicating with a confidential FBI source who presented himself as someone with ties to the Houthis. According to the indictment, the source sought to obtain equipment intended to set up a mobile communications center in Yemen. Ellaboudy allegedly used his electrical engineering knowledge to test and modify solar generators and communications equipment, draw diagrams, and explain how to integrate the systems.

"As alleged, a U.S. government employee traveled overseas and used his specialized expertise in an attempt to aid the Houthis, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization backed by Iran," John Eisenberg, the Department of Justice's Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said.

"Additionally, Ellaboudy acquired materials for the construction of explosive material and drones capable of delivering these explosives. These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination," he added.