Energy Department Engineer Arrested for Aiding Iran-Backed Houthis
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy charged with providing material support, including drone and explosive components, to Yemeni rebels.
A Department of Energy electrical engineer was arrested Thursday on charges of providing support to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, the Justice Department announced. Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, Washington, is accused of purchasing materials for homemade explosives and drones and traveling to Yemen to assist the group.
Ellaboudy faces charges for allegedly providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The Houthis are designated as such by the United States. According to an FBI affidavit, Ellaboudy's objective was to enhance the Houthis' communications capabilities.
Investigators became aware of Ellaboudy after learning he had acquired precursor chemicals for explosives, such as acetone and sodium bisulfate, along with drone components. The FBI reported that Ellaboudy communicated with informants, one of whom posed as a Houthi colonel, offering advice and assistance on communications equipment.
During the investigation, authorities learned that Ellaboudy had traveled to Yemen in September. Upon his return to the United States, he told Customs and Border Protection officials he was returning from a work trip in Oman to inspect missile defense systems. However, Ellaboudy's supervisor told investigators they had no knowledge of any such international travel or any Energy Department missile inspection program assigned to Ellaboudy.
Federal records indicate Ellaboudy was scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Friday. Court documents did not list an attorney representing him.
The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when Houthi rebels took control of the capital, Sanaa, forcing the government into exile. The Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces are currently engaged in renewed fighting that has resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced tens of thousands of people.
John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s National Security Division, stated that the allegations were "deeply disturbing" and "almost defy imagination."