DOE Engineer Charged in Houthi Support Case

FBI agents and about a dozen vehicles surrounded a home in the 1400 block of Oxford Avenue near Leslie Street and Canyon Avenue in Richland on Thursday morning, Oct. 1, 2026. Social-media video captured the cordon. Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, was taken into custody. The same morning, agents also visited the Department of Energy Office of River Protection at 2440 Stevens Center Place.

Ellaboudy worked in the Department of Energy Nuclear Safety Division at the Hanford nuclear site. Prosecutors charged him with attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Conviction carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.

John A. Eisenberg, the assistant attorney general for national security, spoke to the gravity of the case in a single sentence. “These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination.”

The tip that first brought Ellaboudy to the FBI was a set of purchases. He had acquired precursor chemicals, the starting ingredients commonly used to make homemade explosives, along with other components and materials for the same purpose. The list included acetone and sodium bisulfate. He had also bought parts used to build drones and remotely operated aerial systems—small aircraft that can be flown from a distance and, in some configurations, carry a payload.

“Additionally, Ellaboudy acquired materials for the construction of explosive material and drones capable of delivering these explosives,” Eisenberg said.

In December 2024 he took sick leave from the Department of Energy. He told the agency he had been exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid. Nitric acid is a chemical used in the construction of explosive materials.

In September 2025 Ellaboudy traveled from Richland, Washington, to Oman on an official passport issued during his prior employment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. From Oman he crossed into Yemen, intending to reach Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital. He never made it there.

On return he told U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that the trip had been official government business, a mission inspecting missile defense systems. His Department of Energy supervisor told investigators Ellaboudy had no authorized government travel to the region and knew of no such missile-inspection program.

Ellaboudy told FBI informants he had been smuggled into and out of Yemen. He had hoped to reach Sanaa to make high-level contacts. He failed.

“As alleged, a U.S. government employee traveled overseas and used his specialized expertise in an attempt to aid the Houthis, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization backed by Iran,” Eisenberg said.

Once home, he opened a channel with a person who said he worked for a Houthi colonel. The contact said the colonel needed communications equipment for a mobile center in Yemen. Ellaboudy drew on his electrical-engineering expertise. He advised the source on testing and modifying solar power generators and communications systems. He explained how the power and communications systems should integrate. He supplied diagrams and schematics for the setup. He researched other equipment that could enhance the systems.

Jarod Brown, assistant director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, stated the charge in plain terms. “This individual allegedly betrayed the U.S. and attempted to aid the Houthis, a designated foreign terrorist organization, but thanks to the work of the men and women of the FBI, his actions were detected and he is now in custody.”

“According to the criminal complaint, Ellaboudy tried to assist the terrorist group improve its communications capabilities, he purchased materials for homemade explosives and drones, and he traveled to Yemen where the Houthis control the capital city. Preventing terrorism and protecting the U.S. homeland is a vital part of the FBI's mission. We will use all our resources and work closely with our partners to identify and stop anyone planning to commit acts of terrorism or to help terrorist organizations.”

On Friday, Oct. 2, Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy was scheduled to make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Richland. The Justice Department set the hour at 11 a.m.

Ray Geimer, manager of the Department of Energy Hanford Field Office, spoke to the status of the nuclear site where Ellaboudy had worked. “This matter did not involve an attempt to harm the Hanford Site or its workforce, and at no time was there a threat to the safety or security of the site.”

Ellaboudy remained in custody facing the material-support count.