Washington, D.C. – Federal authorities arrested a 51‑year‑old electrical engineer from Richland, Washington, alleging he secretly assisted the Iran‑aligned Houthi movement in Yemen.
Undisclosed trip to Yemen
According to the Department of Justice, the suspect, identified as Ashton Hameed Elaboudi, journeyed to Yemen in September of the previous year. An FBI affidavit states his mission was to establish contacts with Houthi operatives and help upgrade their communications network.
Official story unravels
After re‑entering the United States, Elaboudi informed Customs and Border Protection that he had returned from Oman on a work‑related assignment, claiming participation in a U.S. government inspection of missile‑defense systems. Investigators later discovered that his supervisor had no record of such a deployment and that no Department of Energy program required travel to either Yemen or Oman.
Links to Houthi‑affiliated contacts
FBI documents reveal that Elaboudi discussed clandestine entry and exit routes for Yemen and expressed a desire to reach the capital, Sana’a, to meet senior Houthi figures. Although he never arrived in the city, the affidavit notes he exchanged messages with several informants, one posing as a Houthi colonel, offering technical advice on communications gear to strengthen the rebel faction’s capabilities.
Questionable acquisitions under investigation
The probe also uncovered purchases that could be repurposed for explosives and drone components. Prosecutors say these items constitute key evidence that led to the indictment.
Federal terrorism indictment
Elaboudi now faces a federal charge of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, a violation punishable under U.S. law. He is scheduled for a court appearance, though no counsel was listed at the time of reporting. The case is in its early stages, with both the prosecution and defense expected to contest the affidavit’s evidence.
