A U.S. Department of Energy employee from Richland, Washington, was arrested Oct. 1 and charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to Ansarallah (the Houthis), a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, according to the Department of Justice. The defendant is identified as Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51.
What prosecutors say happened
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said Ellaboudy allegedly “traveled overseas and used his specialized expertise in an attempt to aid the Houthis,” calling the accusations “deeply disturbing.”
According to the federal complaint cited by DOJ, investigators allege Ellaboudy purchased precursor chemicals and other components commonly used to build homemade explosives, as well as parts used to assemble drones and remotely operated aerial systems. The DOJ notes nitric acid—referenced in a December 2024 sick-leave claim by Ellaboudy—is used in manufacturing explosive materials.
Alleged travel to Yemen on an official passport
Prosecutors say that in September 2025, Ellaboudy used an official U.S. government passport previously issued while he worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to travel from Richland, Washington, to Oman and then cross into Yemen. Investigators allege he intended to travel toward Sanaa, which is controlled by the Houthis.
When Ellaboudy returned to the United States, prosecutors say he told Customs and Border Protection officers the trip was official government business. His Department of Energy supervisor later told investigators there was no authorized government travel to that region, according to DOJ.
FBI undercover contact and alleged technical help
The DOJ says the FBI later used a confidential human source who purported to be working for a Houthi “Colonel.” The source sought communications equipment for a mobile communications center in Yemen. Investigators allege Ellaboudy then applied his electrical-engineering expertise to test and modify solar-power generators and communications equipment, advised on integrating power and communications systems, supplied diagrams and schematics, and researched additional equipment to improve Houthi communications capabilities.
FBI Counterterrorism Division Assistant Director Jarod Brown accused Ellaboudy of attempting to aid the terrorist organization and said the FBI detected the alleged activity before it could proceed further.
No threat reported to Hanford Site
The Department of Energy said investigators found no attempt to attack the Hanford nuclear site, where Ellaboudy worked. “This matter did not involve an attempt to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce, and at no time was there a threat to the safety or security of the site,” Hanford Field Office Manager Ray Geimer said.
Local outlet NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima reported that FBI and local law-enforcement personnel were seen conducting an operation Thursday morning in south Richland.
Designation context and next steps
According to the source text’s summary of U.S. government actions, President Donald Trump signed a Jan. 22, 2025 executive order directing the State Department to reconsider restoring the Houthis’ Foreign Terrorist Organization designation, which the Biden administration had revoked in February 2021. The source says Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally designated Ansarallah a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025, with the designation taking effect March 5, 2025. The source further attributes to the U.S. government that the Houthis receive support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Quds Force and have carried out repeated missile and drone attacks in the Middle East and against commercial shipping in and around the Red Sea.
