Arrest of a U.S. Government Employee on Charges of Supporting the Houthis

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The U.S. Department of Justice said that a government employee was arrested on Thursday on allegations of providing support to the Iran-backed Houthi militia.

The employee, Ashton Hamid Al-Laboudi, 51, from the Department of Energy, was accused of attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis, who are classified by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization.

It is alleged that the man traveled abroad and used his specialized expertise to assist the Houthis, according to Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg.

Eisenberg added that he "also obtained materials for making explosives and drones" capable of carrying explosives.

He continued, "These allegations are so horrific that they almost defy imagination."

During an investigation conducted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the man began communicating with an FBI source who pretended to work for a Houthi "colonel" to obtain communication equipment that would be sent to Yemen for use in a mobile communications center.

According to court records, "Al-Laboudi" - who was employed by the Department of Energy - caught the attention of the FBI after the bureau received information indicating that he had purchased precursor chemicals and other components typically used in the manufacture of homemade explosive devices.

In addition to the precursor chemicals, investigations revealed that "Al-Laboudi" had also purchased parts used in the manufacture of drones and remotely operated aerial systems.

The department stated that the man provided "advice and expertise from specialists, based on his background in electrical engineering."

Jarod Brown, the Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, said that the man "is accused of betraying the United States" and attempted to assist the Houthis.

He continued, "But thanks to the work of the men and women at the FBI, his actions were uncovered and he is now in custody."

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.