US DOJ Arrests Employee for Attempting to Fund Houthi Militia

The US Department of Justice announced on Thursday the arrest of an employee at the Department of Energy based in Richland, Washington, and charged him with attempting to provide "material support" to the Iran-backed Houthi militia.

According to Fox News, Ashton Hamid Al-Laboudi (51 years old) faces charges of attempting to use his expertise and background in electrical engineering to support the Houthi militia, which is classified as "terrorist."

It was clarified that this was done by helping improve its mobile communications infrastructure, securing components for drones, and chemicals used in manufacturing homemade explosives.

John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said in a statement: "According to the indictment, a US government employee traveled abroad and used his specialized expertise in an attempt to help the Houthis, who are a designated foreign terrorist organization supported by Iran."

He added: "Furthermore, Al-Laboudi obtained materials to manufacture explosives and drones capable of delivering these explosives. These allegations are so alarming that they almost defy belief."

Federal authorities detained Al-Laboudi following an investigation conducted by the FBI's Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force.

According to court records, Al-Laboudi first drew the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation after it was reported that he purchased precursor chemicals (or basic components) and supplies often used in making homemade explosives, in addition to parts for manufacturing drones.

The Department of Justice stated that the man received sick leave from his job at the Department of Energy in 2024, claiming that he had been exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid, a key chemical compound used in the manufacture of explosives.

Prosecutors say that Al-Laboudi used an official passport in 2025 -which he possessed due to his former position in the Army Corps of Engineers- to travel from Washington state to the Sultanate of Oman. He then moved on to Yemen.

After returning to the United States, it is alleged that Al-Laboudi told border officials that his trip was on an authorized government mission.

Investigators also noted that Al-Laboudi provided advice to a confidential human source affiliated with the FBI who pretended to represent a colonel in the Houthi militia.

The statement reported that Al-Laboudi, on behalf of the Houthis, tested solar-powered generators, modified power systems, prepared electrical circuit diagrams, and provided support to the militia's communication systems.

Jarrod Brown, Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division at the FBI, said: "This person is alleged to have betrayed the United States and attempted to help the Houthis, but thanks to the efforts of the men and women of the Bureau, his actions were uncovered and he is now in custody."

Officials confirmed that the activities attributed to Al-Laboudi did not target domestic nuclear facilities.

Ray Gimer, Director of the Department of Energy's Hanford Office, said: "This case did not involve any attempt to harm the Hanford site or its workers, and at no time did it pose a threat to the safety or security of the site."

Al-Laboudi faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.