Trump Admin Caught Colluding With Iran-Backed Terrorists

A Department of Energy electrical engineer has been arrested on a stunning federal terrorism charge after investigators accused him of attempting to help the Iran-backed Houthis with technical expertise, drone components and materials associated with the production of explosives.

Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, Washington, was arrested Thursday and charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Federal prosecutors allege Ellaboudy was employed by the Department of Energy while using his specialized electrical engineering knowledge in an effort to assist the Houthis.

The allegations immediately drew a blistering response from the Justice Department.

“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,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Additionally, Ellaboudy acquired materials for the construction of explosive material and drones capable of delivering these explosives. These allegations are so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination.”

According to the criminal complaint, the FBI’s investigation began after authorities learned Ellaboudy had allegedly purchased precursor chemicals, components and other materials commonly associated with homemade explosive devices.

Investigators also discovered purchases of components used to build drones and remotely operated aerial systems, prosecutors said.

But the allegations extend far beyond purchases made inside the United States.

Federal authorities say Ellaboudy traveled from Washington state to Oman in September 2025 before crossing into Yemen using an official passport previously issued to him while he worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, a 51 year old former employee of the Department of Energy, Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, was arrested and charged with attempting to provide material support to the Yemeni Houthis, who are a designated terrorist organization.… pic.twitter.com/lhySGgETbV

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 1, 2026

According to the FBI, Ellaboudy intended to reach Sanaa, Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital.

He ultimately failed to make it there.

When Ellaboudy returned to the United States, prosecutors allege he told Customs and Border Protection officers that his overseas trip had been official government business.

Investigators say that story didn’t hold up.

Ellaboudy’s Department of Energy supervisor later told authorities that he had no authorized government travel to the region and had not been assigned to the missile inspection mission Ellaboudy allegedly described, according to court records.

Federal investigators further allege Ellaboudy admitted to FBI informants that he had been smuggled into and out of Yemen and hoped to establish high-level connections inside the country.

The investigation then took another turn.

Ellaboudy began communicating with an FBI confidential source who purported to be working for a Houthi “Colonel,” according to prosecutors.

Authorities allege Ellaboudy subsequently put his engineering expertise to work.

He allegedly helped test and modify solar power generators and communications equipment intended for a mobile communications center.

Prosecutors say he also supplied diagrams, technical guidance and research involving equipment that could potentially enhance Houthi communications capabilities.

Investigators have also scrutinized Ellaboudy’s previous acquisition and handling of chemicals.

The Justice Department said authorities learned that in 2024 Ellaboudy took sick leave from his government position after reporting exposure to highly concentrated nitric acid.

Nitric acid has legitimate industrial and scientific applications but can also be used in producing certain explosive materials.

Taken together, federal prosecutors allege the engineer’s activities amounted to an attempt to provide material support to the Houthis.

The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, control significant portions of Yemen and have received support from Iran. The United States has designated the organization as a foreign terrorist organization.

Ellaboudy now faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

The case puts a particularly striking element at the center of the government’s allegations: prosecutors aren’t accusing an ordinary private citizen of simply attempting to make contact with a foreign terrorist organization.

They allege a U.S. government engineer attempted to use specialized technical expertise—and acquire materials involving drones and explosives—to help one.

Ellaboudy has been charged, not convicted, and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.