An American government employee was arrested on allegations of supporting the Houthis

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

The employee, Ashton Hamid Al-Labudi, 51, at the Ministry of Energy, was accused of trying to provide material support or resources to the Houthis, which the United States classifies as a foreign terrorist organization.

The man allegedly traveled abroad and used his specialized expertise to help the Houthis, according to Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg.

Eisenberg added that he "also obtained materials to manufacture explosive materials and drones" capable of transporting explosives.

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

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

According to court records, Al-Labudi, who was a Department of Energy employee, came to the attention of the FBI after the bureau received information that he had purchased precursor chemicals, components, and other materials typically used in the manufacture of homemade explosive devices.

In addition to the raw chemicals, investigations revealed that Al-Labudi had also purchased parts used in manufacturing drones and remotely operated aerial systems.

The ministry said the man provided "specialized advice and experience, based on his background in electrical engineering."

Jarrod Brown, assistant director of the FBI's counterterrorism division, said the man was "accused of betraying the United States" and trying to help the Houthis.

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

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