Washington, D.C. – Federal authorities arrested a 51‑year‑old electrical engineer from Richland, Washington, alleging he secretly assisted the Iran‑aligned Houthi faction in Yemen.

Alleged covert trip to Yemen

The Department of Justice states that the suspect, identified as Ashton Hameed Elaboudi, flew to Yemen in September of the previous year. According to an FBI affidavit, his mission was to establish contacts with Houthi operatives and help upgrade the group’s communications network.

Inconsistent official story

Upon his return to the United States, Elaboudi told Customs and Border Protection that he had come back from Oman on a work assignment, claiming participation in a U.S.‑government effort to inspect missile‑defence systems. Investigators later discovered that his supervisor had no record of such a mission, and no Department of Energy program was found that would have required travel to Yemen or Oman.

FBI records 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 that he exchanged messages with several informants, one of whom pretended to be a Houthi colonel. In those conversations, Elaboudi offered technical advice on communications gear, ostensibly to strengthen the rebel group’s capabilities.

Questionable equipment purchases

The probe also uncovered a series of purchases that could be repurposed for explosives and drone components. Authorities say these acquisitions constitute key evidence that led to the indictment.

Federal terrorism indictment

Elaboudi now faces a federal charge of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, a violation punishable under U.S. law. He is scheduled to appear before a judge, though no counsel was listed at the time of reporting. The case is in its early stages, and both prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to challenge the affidavit’s evidentiary basis.