NEW: Trump Admin Employee Caught Providing Support To Iran-Backed Terrorists, Feds Say

A Department of Energy electrical engineer has been arrested after federal investigators accused him of trying to provide material support to the Iran-backed Houthis, including technical assistance, drone components and materials commonly used to make explosives.

Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, Washington, was arrested Thursday and charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Federal prosecutors say Ellaboudy was working for the Department of Energy when he allegedly used his electrical engineering expertise in an effort to assist the Houthis.

“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,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “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.”

According to the criminal complaint, the FBI began investigating Ellaboudy after learning that he had purchased precursor chemicals, components and other materials commonly associated with homemade explosive devices.

Investigators also discovered that he had purchased parts used to construct drones and remotely operated aerial systems, prosecutors said.

Federal authorities allege Ellaboudy traveled from Washington state to Oman in September 2025 before crossing into Yemen using an official passport that had previously been issued to him while he worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, a 51 year old former employee of the Department of Energy, Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Yemeni Houthis, who are a designated terrorist organization.… pic.twitter.com/lhySGgETbV

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 1, 2026

The FBI says he intended to reach Sanaa, the Yemeni capital controlled by the Houthis, but was ultimately unable to make it there.

After returning to the United States, Ellaboudy allegedly told Customs and Border Protection officers that he had been overseas on official government business.

His Department of Energy supervisor later told investigators that Ellaboudy had no authorized government travel to the region and was not assigned to the missile inspection mission he allegedly described, according to court records.

Federal investigators also allege Ellaboudy admitted to FBI informants that he had been smuggled into and out of Yemen and hoped to establish high-level connections there.

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During the investigation, Ellaboudy began communicating with an FBI confidential source who purported to be working for a Houthi “Colonel,” according to prosecutors.

Authorities say Ellaboudy used his engineering background to help test and modify solar power generators and communications equipment intended for use in a mobile communications center.

He also allegedly provided diagrams, technical guidance and research about equipment that could improve Houthi communications capabilities.

The Justice Department said investigators learned in 2024 that Ellaboudy had taken sick leave from his government job after claiming exposure to highly concentrated nitric acid, a chemical that can be used in the production of explosive materials.

The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, have received support from Iran and are designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization.

Ellaboudy faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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