---
title: "Energy Department Engineer Arrested for Alleged Houthi Support"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/energy-department-engineer-arrested-for-alleged-houthi-support"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/energy-department-engineer-arrested-for-alleged-houthi-support"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/energy-department-engineer-arrested-for-alleged-houthi-support.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/energy-department-engineer-arrested-for-alleged-houthi-support"
category: "Politics"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-10-02T00:05:14.154Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-01T23:07:11.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-02T01:15:29.482Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 57
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-02T01:15:29.394930+00:00"
---

# Energy Department Engineer Arrested for Alleged Houthi Support

*Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy is accused of purchasing explosive materials and advising on communications equipment.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to the Justice Department and FBI, with one full report and multiple independent outlets.
- Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is clear and holds together, but lacks quotes from affected parties or details on what happens next.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'arrested' and 'support' but the body of the reporting is factual.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old Department of Energy electrical engineer, was arrested on charges of providing material support to the Houthi rebels.
- The FBI alleges Ellaboudy purchased materials for homemade explosives and drones and advised informants on communications equipment.
- Ellaboudy is charged under a law making it a crime to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
- He traveled to Yemen in September, telling officials it was a work trip, but his supervisor had no knowledge of the travel or a related missile inspection program.

Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a 51-year-old electrical engineer with the Department of Energy, was arrested on charges of providing material support to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The Justice Department announced the charges on Thursday. Ellaboudy, who resides in Richland, Washington, is accused by the FBI of purchasing precursor chemicals for homemade explosives, including acetone and sodium bisulfate, as well as parts for drones. He is also alleged to have advised FBI informants on communications equipment.

The FBI began investigating Ellaboudy after learning of his purchases of explosive precursor chemicals and drone parts. During the investigation, he communicated with informants, including one posing as a Houthi colonel, and offered advice on communications equipment. Ellaboudy is charged under a law that prohibits providing material support to groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States, a designation that includes the Houthis.

According to an FBI affidavit, Ellaboudy traveled to Yemen in September. Upon his return to the U.S., he told Customs and Border Protection officials that he was returning from Oman on a work trip as part of a U.S. government mission to inspect defense facilities. However, investigators interviewed Ellaboudy’s supervisor, who stated they had no knowledge of any such international travel or a related missile inspection program. Ellaboudy reportedly told informants he had to be smuggled into and out of Yemen and had hoped to make government-level connections in the capital, Sanaa, but was unable to reach it.

## Disagreement on travel purpose

Washington Top News reported that Ellaboudy told Customs and Border Protection officials he was on a work trip and part of a U.S. government mission to inspect defense facilities, but his supervisor had no knowledge of such travel or a related missile inspection program. Observador stated he travelled to the Yemeni capital on an alleged 'official business' trip.

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated digests mention that Ellaboudy told Customs and Border Protection officials he was on a work trip and part of a U.S. government mission to inspect defense facilities.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 42 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 29% (12)
- Centre: 42% (18)
- Right: 29% (12)

7 of 49 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-02T01:15:29.394930+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-02T02:00:15.135Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports led with the arrest of Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, a Department of Energy electrical engineer, on charges of providing support to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. These reports noted the FBI's allegations that Ellaboudy purchased materials for homemade explosives and drones, and traveled to Yemen. Several reports highlighted the Justice Department's statement that the allegations are 'deeply disturbing'.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the arrest of Department of Energy electrical engineer Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy and the charges of providing support to the Houthi rebels. They detailed the FBI's allegations that Ellaboudy bought materials for explosives and drones, and advised informants on communications equipment. The reports also mentioned his travel to Yemen and the discrepancy between his stated reason for travel and his supervisor's lack of knowledge.

### Right

- Right-rated reports highlighted that a Department of Energy employee, Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, was arrested for allegedly attempting to aid Iran-backed Houthi terrorists. These reports mentioned accusations of acquiring drone components, explosive materials, and providing technical expertise. The Post Millennial quoted the Justice Department stating, '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.'

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- low: 2
- mixed: 8
- high: 10
- unknown: 8
- veryHigh: 20

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/us/doe-employee-charged-in-alleged-plot-to-aid-iran-backed-houthis) — DOE Employee Charged in Alleged Plot to Aid Iran-Backed Houthis
- [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/usa-news/51-year-old-us-energy-dept-official-arrested-for-allegedly-aiding-yemens-houthis) — 51-year-old US Energy Dept official arrested for allegedly aiding Yemens Houthis - The Tribune
- [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/world/doe-employee-charged-trying-aid-iran-backed-houthis-feds-say) — DOE employee charged with trying to aid Iran-backed Houthis, feds say
- [Lynnwood Times](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/2026/10/01/ellaboudy) — Washington resident Ashton Ellaboudy charged with providing material support Houthi terrorists
- [Everett Post](https://everettpost.com/state-news/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support-houthis) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis
- [Politics, Policy, Political News](https://politicom.com.au/department-of-energy-employee-arrested-for-allegedly-trying-to-provide-material-support-to-iran-backed-houthi-terrorists-accused-of-buying-explosive-materials-and-drone-parts) — Department of Energy Employee Arrested for Allegedly Trying to Provide Material Support to Iran-Backed Houthi Terrorists — Accused of Buying Explosive Materials and Drone Parts - Politics, Policy, Political Views
- [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/department-energy-employee-arrested-allegedly-trying-provide-material) — Department of Energy Employee Arrested for Allegedly Trying to Provide Material Support to Iran-Backed Houthi Terrorists — Accused of Buying Explosive Materials and Drone Parts * The Gateway Pundit * by Jim Hᴏft
- [Observador](https://observador.pt/2026/10/02/departamento-de-justica-norte-americano-detem-funcionario-do-departamento-de-energia-por-suspeitas-de-apoio-material-aos-houthis) — U.S. Department of Justice Holds Department of Energy Official on Suspicion of Material Support to Houthis
- [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/4751179/energy-department-employee-support-houthis-communications-equipment) — Energy Department employee charged with attempting to support Houthis
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/c8726157b86e371d) — US arrests Energy Dept. employee for alleged Houthi support
- [100% FED UP!](https://100percentfedup.com/doe-employee-arrested-houthi-terror-drones-explosives) — DOE Employee Arrested In Alleged Houthi Terror Plot Involving Drones And Explosives – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Donald
- [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/10/01/7213412/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis
- [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/middle-east/11186356/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/10/01/fbi-houthis-arrest) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/10/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen – WTOP News
- [thedailybs.com](https://thedailybs.com/2026/10/01/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support-houthis) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis - The Daily Bo Snerdley
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen/article_085298f1-2980-57eb-a25f-cc9302f79ddc.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/houthis-fbi-yemen-iran-arrest-b81181) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/houthis-fbi-justice-department-iran-energy-department-b3060132.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/houthis-fbi-yemen-iran-arrest-3df1b86e80c30d5ce053301f62f51d8e) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/houthis-fbi-justice-department-iran-energy-department-b3060132.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [WBOC 16](https://wboc.com/news/national/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in/article_ce912833-7d5a-5366-8e97-9b0f08a000df.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [The Sun Chronicle](https://thesunchronicle.com/news/nation_world/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in/article_b139eb6b-0c0c-57e7-89ad-7c166cc0d526.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [plaindealerin.com](https://plaindealerin.com/news/regional/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in/article_9df8cdf3-78be-5fe3-a9a0-d5bbea814ca2.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [WPLG](https://local10.com/news/national/2026/10/01/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/national/2026/10/01/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/10/01/nation/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [abc News](https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-charge-support-iran-136934737) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Houthis
- [Watauga Democrat](https://wataugademocrat.com/news/national/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support-houthis/article_870baaeb-a729-5247-9ca1-5bae18e4a59d.html) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis
- [SF Weekly](https://sfweekly.com/news/national/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support-houthis/article_a8f0e93c-9e4e-57a0-b1ad-a9247709237f.html) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis
- [News-Herald](https://news-herald.net/news/national/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support-houthis/article_b29b7ff5-e8dc-5694-9cc7-37f77c6d7df8.html) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis
- [The Avery Journal-Times](https://averyjournal.com/news/national/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support-houthis/article_65dcdb96-f421-5b1e-af05-3ed34248398b.html) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis
- [Floyd Chronicle & Times](https://floydct.com/news/national/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support-houthis/article_8b70ad24-9064-5c7b-85fc-bc2c340f735f.html) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis
- [Elkhorn Media Group](https://elkhornmediagroup.com/dept-of-energy-employee-from-richland-accused-of-attempting-to-aid-foreign-terrorist-organization) — Dept. of Energy employee from Richland accused of attempting to aid foreign terrorist organization
- [RedState](https://redstate.com/beccalower/2026/10/01/fbi-terrorism-task-force-arrests-doe-employee-for-trying-to-help-iranian-proxy-houthis-n2207641) — FBI Terrorism Task Force Arrests DOE Employee Charged With Trying to Help Houthis in Yemen
- [DOJ](https://justice.gov/opa/pr/department-energy-employee-arrested-washington-state-charges-attempted-material-support) — Department of Energy Employee Arrested in Washington State on Charges
- [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/mundo/funcionario-do-governo-dos-eua-e-preso-por-ligacao-com-os-houthis-do-iemen) — U.S. Government Official Arrested by Connection with Yemen's Houthis
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen/article_0a2031c6-7810-5406-9693-d0ce459b6c02.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen/article_7421c442-4bac-5d7d-9d4f-45d4dff953a6.html) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [The Post Millennial](https://thepostmillennial.com/breaking-department-of-energy-employee-arrested-in-washington-for-allegedly-trying-to-aid-iran-backed-houthis) — BREAKING: Department of Energy employee arrested in Washington for allegedly trying to aid Iran-backed Houthis
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/10/01/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support-iran-backed-houthis-in-yemen) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- [Fox 10 Phoenix](https://fox10phoenix.com/news/richland-wa-man-charged-support-houthis) — Richland, WA man charged with giving material support to Houthis
- [Fox 9](https://fox9.com/news/richland-wa-man-charged-support-houthis) — Richland, WA man charged with giving material support to Houthis
- [FOX 13 Seattle](https://fox13seattle.com/news/richland-wa-man-charged-support-houthis) — Richland, WA man charged with giving material support to Houthis
- [WAGA](https://fox5atlanta.com/news/richland-wa-man-charged-support-houthis) — Richland, WA man charged with giving material support to Houthis
- [KTBC](https://fox7austin.com/news/richland-wa-man-charged-support-houthis) — Richland, WA man charged with giving material support to Houthis
- [WNYW](https://fox5ny.com/news/richland-wa-man-charged-support-houthis) — Richland, WA man charged with giving material support to Houthis
- [Dailyfly - Lewis Clark Valley News](https://dailyfly.com/2026/10/01/richland-doe-employee-arrested-on-charges-of-attempting-to-support-houthis) — Richland DOE employee arrested on charges of attempting to support Houthis
- [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/1/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-charge-trying-support-iran) — FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen

## Questions

**Who is Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy?**

Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy is a 51-year-old electrical engineer employed by the U.S. Department of Energy. He has been arrested and charged with providing material support to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

**What is he accused of doing?**

The FBI alleges Ellaboudy purchased materials for homemade explosives and drones, and advised informants on communications equipment. He is charged under a law that makes it a crime to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

**Did he travel to Yemen?**

Yes, the FBI alleges Ellaboudy traveled to Yemen in September. He told Customs and Border Protection officials he was on a work trip, but his supervisor had no knowledge of such travel or a related missile inspection program.

---

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