Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old electrical engineer with the US Department of Energy, was arrested on Thursday in Richland, Washington, over alleged support for Yemen’s Houthis. Ellaboudy is expected to make his initial court appearance on Friday.
The indictment alleges that Ellaboudy purchased materials that could be used in homemade explosives and unmanned aerial vehicles to help improve the Houthis’ communications capabilities. It also alleges that Ellaboudy traveled to Yemen last September.
Yemen trip included in investigation
Ellaboudy traveled to Oman using a passport issued to him while he was serving in the US Army Corps of Engineers and then crossed into Yemen, according to the indictment. The investigation considers the trip connected to the allegation that he supported the Houthis.

Ellaboudy is charged under a US law that criminalizes providing material support to organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations. This legal designation also covers the Houthis.

Defendant could face up to 20 years in prison
Ellaboudy could receive a prison sentence of up to 20 years if convicted. The arrest and charges do not constitute a final conviction by the court.
The background to the conflict in Yemen dates to the Houthis’ seizure of control of the capital, Sanaa, and some provinces in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to support Yemen’s internationally recognized government.