FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
Authorities say the engineer bought explosive-making chemicals and drone parts and offered technical help in an alleged effort to assist the Houthis.

On Thursday, federal authorities arrested Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a Department of Energy electrical engineer from Richland, Washington, and charged him with attempting to provide material support to the Houthis, an Iran-backed designated foreign terrorist organization.
Investigators allege Ellaboudy purchased precursor chemicals and drone parts, then traveled to Oman in September 2025 to reach Sanaa, Yemen, while providing technical communications assistance to a confidential source posing as a Houthi colonel.
Upon returning to the United States, Ellaboudy claimed his overseas travel was for official government business, though his supervisor disputed this; the Department of Energy's Hanford Field Office stated his conduct posed no threat to the Hanford Site.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg described the allegations as "so deeply disturbing that they almost defy imagination," while Ellaboudy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Scheduled for a federal magistrate judge appearance this Friday, Ellaboudy remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The enemy is inside the gate!

https://ground.news/article/fb...ked-houthis-in-yemen

When I read this today my reaction was "Holly Sh*t" I know him.

He worked at McNary Dam (US Army Corps of Engineers) a few years ago as an engineer. He was also an LT in the US Navy Reserve.

He was a strange duck.

Richland? So he likely worked at Pacific Northwest National Lab. Wonder how many other secrets that POS sold. They need to vet people better.

There are probably hundreds of people just like him that are working at a variety of US Government Agencies. (and the Military)

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
There are probably hundreds THOUSANDS of people just like him that are working at a variety of US Government Agencies. (and the Military)

FIFY

Just unbelievable! Wonder who accepted a job application from this individual (or wait, must have been a DEI hire!), and who did the background investigation (assuming there was one done) and who adjudicated him as an acceptable candidate? I agree with other posters that there are probably many more like him.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeNH:
Richland? So he likely worked at Pacific Northwest National Lab. Wonder how many other secrets that POS sold. They need to vet people better.

He most likely worked for Hanford as it is the largest Dept of Energy facility around here (storage of nuke haz waste).

I agree. The punishment should be severe. Make an example, so other do not follow.

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:
The enemy is inside the gate!

Mr T has closed the border. Hope he begins mass deportation of all who profess allegiance to a recognized terror nation-state.

quote:

Originally posted by uvahawk:
Just unbelievable! Wonder who accepted a job application from this individual (or wait, must have been a DEI hire!), and who did the background investigation (assuming there was one done) and who adjudicated him as an acceptable candidate? I agree with other posters that there are probably many more like him.

For eight years, Obama was on a rampage hiring so many people that, in federal government positions, so long as they had left-wing views, you got the job. Backgrounds were often overlooked.

If found guilty give home life at Super Max.

He needs Arcancided.

quote:

They need to vet people better.

He may well have passed initial vetting. Similarly, Robert Hanssen no doubt passed his.