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FBI says first US law enforcement officer charged in anti-terror sting
ALEXANDRIA: Prosecutors on Wednesday brought the first-ever terrorism charges against a law enforcement officer in the US, alleging that a patrol officer with the
ALEXANDRIA: Prosecutors on Wednesday brought the first-ever terrorism charges against a law enforcement officer in the US, alleging that a patrol officer with the DC region’s Metro Transit Police was caught buying $250 worth of cards for the Islamic State group.
Nicholas Young, 36, of Fairfax, was arrested Wednesday at Metro’s headquarters in Washington. He is charged with a single count of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group, and is scheduled for an initial appearance at US District Court in Alexandria.
According to an FBI affidavit, Young bought nearly $250 in gift cards last month intended for the Islamic State for use to purchase mobile apps that would facilitate communication. But Young actually gave the gift cards to an undercover FBI source.
Documents show Young has been under surveillance since 2010, and that he travelled to Libya twice in 2011, where he said he joined rebel forces seeking to oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Joshua Stueve, spokesman for the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said Young posed no threat to the Metro system. Court documents show Young directed his efforts at seeking to help the Islamic State overseas.
FBI spokesman Andrew Ames confirmed Young is the first law enforcement officer to be charged under the federal government’s terrorism law.
Prosecutors said it was Metro Transit Police that initiated the investigation, and then worked cooperatively with the FBI.
“Obviously, the allegations in this case are profoundly disturbing. They’re disturbing to me, and they’re disturbing to everyone who wears the uniform,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said.
