{
  "id": 11331898,
  "title": "FBI arrests former DOE employee for allegedly providing materials, expert assistance to Houthis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/fbi-arrests-former-doe-employee-for-allegedly-providing-materials",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T02:08:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910390"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former US Department of Energy employee Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, has been arrested by the FBI on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Houthi terrorist organization. The US Department of Justice announced the arrest on Thursday.\n\nAccording to court records, Ellaboudy is accused of aiding the Houthis by enhancing their communications capabilities and providing materials for homemade explosives and drones. His investigation began when the FBI received information about his purchases of chemicals, components, and other materials typically used in the construction of explosive devices and drone parts.\n\nIn December 2024, Ellaboudy claimed he had been exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid, a common chemical used in explosive materials, and took sick leave. Later, in 2025, he traveled from Richland, Washington, to Oman using an official passport from his time working for the US Army Corps of Engineers. He then crossed into Yemen, heading towards Sanaa, the capital under Houthi control. Upon returning to the US, Ellaboudy told Customs and Border Protection officers he was traveling on official government business, a claim his DOE supervisor disputed.\n\nDuring the investigation, Ellaboudy communicated with an FBI confidential human source claiming to work for a Houthi Colonel. He allegedly provided expert advice on communications equipment to be sent to Yemen for use in a mobile communications center. Ellaboudy assisted in testing and modifying solar power generators and communication equipment, providing guidance on power and communication systems, and researching additional equipment to enhance their capabilities. If convicted, Ellaboudy faces up to 20 years in prison.",
  "summary": "According to the criminal complaint, in December 2024, Ellaboudy took sick leave, claiming exposure to highly concentrated nitric acid, a common chemical used in the construction of explosives.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "FBI arrests Energy Department employee accused of attempting to support Houthis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-accused-of-attempting-to",
        "published": "2026-10-01T21:54:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "US government employee arrested on suspicion of providing support to Houthis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/us-government-employee-arrested-on-suspicion-of-providing-support-to",
        "published": "2026-10-01T22:05:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "FBI arrests Energy Department employee on charge of trying to support Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/fbi-arrests-energy-department-employee-on-charge-of-trying-to-support",
        "published": "2026-10-01T22:16:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "US arrests Energy Department employee under claims of backing Yemen’s Houthis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/us-arrests-energy-department-employee-under-claims-of-backing-yemens",
        "published": "2026-10-02T00:26:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}