D.C. cop faces terrorism charge after buying $250 worth of gift cards to send to Islamic State
Reporting from ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Authorities said Wednesday that a Washington, D.C.-area transit police officer has been charged in an FBI sting with attempting to support the Islamic State militant group.
The FBI says he is the first law enforcement officer in the U.S. to be charged with a terrorism-related crime.
Court documents say 36-year-old Nicholas Young of Fairfax, Va., was arrested Wednesday morning. According to an affidavit, Young bought nearly $250 in gift cards he intended for the Islamic State to 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 traveled to Libya twice in 2011, where he said he joined rebel forces seeking to oust dictator Moammar Kadafi.
Officials say Young did not pose any threat to the Metro system.
ALSO
Hollande says Trump comments sometimes make his stomach turn
Emirates airliner with 300 onboard crash-lands in Dubai
Why some of Brazil’s growing homeless population would rather stay on the streets
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
