DOE Engineer Terror Support Case
Department of Energy Engineer Charged With Attempting to Support Houthi Terrorists
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Key Points
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Ellaboudy reportedly used an official passport obtained during his earlier employment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to travel to Oman and cross into Yemen.
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An FBI informant posing as someone working for a Houthi “colonel” told Ellaboudy that communications equipment was being acquired for a mobile communications center; prosecutors said Ellaboudy helped test and modify solar generators and communications equipment.
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According to the FBI affidavit, Ellaboudy told informants he needed to be smuggled into and out of Yemen and hoped to build government-level connections in Sanaa, but he was unable to reach the capital.
A 51-year-old electrical engineer at the U.S. Department of Energy was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Iran-backed Houthis, a group the U.S. designates as a foreign terrorist organization. news18 reported that Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy allegedly bought chemicals and drone parts and sought to use his engineering skills to improve the group's communications systems.
Ellaboudy, from Richland, Washington, traveled to Yemen in September 2025 through Oman, telling border officials the trip was official government business—a claim his DOE supervisor denied. indiatoday stated he communicated with an FBI informant posing as a Houthi representative and allegedly helped test and modify solar generators and communications equipment.
Alleged Plot to Build Houthi Communications
Prosecutors say Ellaboudy purchased chemicals and components for homemade explosives and acquired drone parts with the intent to support the Houthis. voz reported that he allegedly attempted to provide "material support or resources" to the group. According to court documents, an FBI informant told Ellaboudy that communications equipment was needed for a mobile communications center in Yemen.
Ellaboudy reportedly offered his engineering expertise to improve the group's capabilities. republicworld noted that investigators examined his purchases after he took sick leave in 2024, claiming exposure to concentrated nitric acid. He communicated multiple times with the undercover informant about modifying solar generators and testing equipment.
Unauthorized Yemen Trip Using Official Credentials
In September 2025, Ellaboudy used an official U.S. passport obtained during his earlier work with the Army Corps of Engineers to travel through Oman into Yemen. ianslive reported that when questioned by border officials, he falsely claimed the trip was official government business. His DOE supervisor later confirmed the travel was unauthorized.
According to FBI affidavits, Ellaboudy told informants he needed to be smuggled into and out of Yemen and hoped to establish government-level connections in Sanaa. However, he was unable to reach the capital city. The DOE's Hanford field office stated the allegations did not involve any attempt to harm the site or its workforce.
DOE Denies National Security Threat to Facilities
Despite the serious charges, the Department of Energy emphasized that the case did not pose a threat to its operations. The DOE's Hanford field office released a statement clarifying that Ellaboudy's alleged activities had no connection to efforts to harm the site or endanger its workforce. Ellaboudy is presumed innocent pending trial.
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