DOE employee charged with trying to aid Iran-backed Houthis, feds say
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy allegedly used his electrical engineering expertise in an attempt to aid Houthi communications, drones and homemade explosives production.
TL;DR
- Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a Department of Energy employee, was arrested and charged with attempting to support the Houthi terrorist group.
- Ellaboudy allegedly used his electrical engineering knowledge to help the Houthis with mobile communications, drone components, and chemicals for homemade explosives.
- He traveled to Yemen in 2025 and advised an undercover FBI source posing as a Houthi representative.
- Officials confirmed the alleged activities did not target the Hanford Site.
- Ellaboudy faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.