A Department of Energy engineer has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, specifically Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement. Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, Washington, was arrested on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following an investigation by federal authorities. If convicted of the charge, Mr. Ellaboudy faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. The charges represent serious allegations, and Mr. Ellaboudy is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
"This matter did not involve an attempt to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce." Ray Geimer, Hanford Field Office Manager
According to federal prosecutors, the investigation into Ellaboudy began after a series of alleged actions and discrepancies came to light. Authorities allege that in September 2025, Ellaboudy traveled from Washington state to Oman with the intention of crossing into Yemen. His alleged goal was to reach Sanaa, the capital city controlled by the Houthi movement, and establish connections with officials within the group. Prosecutors claim Ellaboudy paid approximately $1,400 to facilitate his entry from Oman into Yemen. During this alleged travel, he reportedly utilized an official passport that had been issued to him previously during his tenure with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
However, Ellaboudy ultimately did not succeed in reaching Sanaa, according to the government’s account. Upon his return to the United States, prosecutors state that Ellaboudy informed Customs and Border Protection officers that his international trip was related to official U.S. government work involving missile-defense systems. This statement later drew scrutiny from investigators, who contacted his Department of Energy supervisor. The supervisor reportedly informed investigators that Ellaboudy had not been authorized for international travel and was not assigned to any missile inspection program, creating a significant discrepancy that became a key part of the federal investigation.
Further details from the investigation involve Ellaboudy’s alleged purchases of various chemicals and equipment. Investigators reportedly discovered purchases that included acetone, sodium bisulfate, and drone components. Federal prosecutors noted that some of these materials can serve as chemical precursors in the production of homemade explosives. It is important to note, however, that the charge against Ellaboudy specifically focuses on the alleged attempted material support to a foreign terrorist organization; the government has not alleged that he actually constructed any explosive devices. The investigation also reviewed a December 2024 incident where Ellaboudy reportedly took sick leave, claiming exposure to highly concentrated nitric acid. Authorities highlighted that nitric acid can also be utilized in explosive production, though the government’s allegations do not specify why Ellaboudy encountered the chemical or whether that incident was directly linked to the alleged Houthi-support efforts.
As the federal investigation progressed, authorities introduced confidential human sources who Ellaboudy allegedly believed were connected to the Houthis. One source reportedly claimed to be working for a Houthi "Colonel." Following these interactions, prosecutors allege that Ellaboudy began to leverage his engineering background to assist what he understood to be an operation benefiting the Houthi group. His alleged actions included testing and modifying solar generators and communications equipment, which were purportedly intended for a mobile communications center. Authorities also claim he provided schematics and technical diagrams illustrating how power-generation equipment could be integrated with communications systems. Additionally, prosecutors allege Ellaboudy researched further equipment that could enhance Houthi communications capabilities. These specific alleged actions form a major component of the material-support case brought against him.
The Justice Department has not alleged that Ellaboudy successfully transferred any classified U.S. government information to the Houthis. Furthermore, the government has not publicly identified any specific financial loss incurred by the United States as a result of his alleged conduct.
Ellaboudy’s employment with the Department of Energy adds a significant national security dimension to the case. He worked at the Hanford Site in Washington, which is one of the nation's primary nuclear cleanup facilities. Officials at Hanford were quick to emphasize that the ongoing investigation did not involve any alleged threat to the facility itself or its personnel. Ray Geimer, Manager of the Hanford Field Office, stated, "This matter did not involve an attempt to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce." He reiterated that neither the site nor its employees were threatened by the alleged actions. The case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI’s Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force. Ellaboudy now faces a federal legal process where prosecutors will aim to prove that he knowingly attempted to provide material support to the Iran-backed Houthi movement.
