A Department of Energy employee, Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, has been arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Iran-backed Houthis, federal authorities announced. Ellaboudy, an electrical engineer from Richland, Washington, is accused of leveraging his technical expertise to enhance the Houthi’s mobile communications, procure drone components, and supply chemicals for homemade explosives. Prosecutors allege that Ellaboudy traveled to Oman and Yemen using an official passport, claiming his trip was government business, and subsequently advised an undercover FBI source posing as a Houthi representative. His alleged activities included testing solar generators, modifying power systems, creating circuit schematics, and offering communication support to the terrorist group. The investigation began after Ellaboudy’s purchase of precursor chemicals and drone parts attracted FBI attention, with further suspicion arising when he took sick leave citing exposure to nitric acid, a key component in explosive manufacturing. While his alleged actions were deeply disturbing and involved attempts to aid a designated foreign terrorist organization, officials confirmed that the Hanford Site and its workforce were not targeted and no threat was posed to their safety or security. Ellaboudy faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
