Nicholas Young, a 12-year veteran police officer of the Washington, D.C. Metro transit, was arrested this morning in a sting operation at transit headquarters under allegations that he has been trying to help ISIS operatives evade authorities. He will make his first appearance in federal court this afternoon.
NBC Washington reports that, according to court records, Young, 36, allegedly purchased 22 gift cards for mobile messaging apps with the intention to aid the terrorist operation overseas. Young, who lives in nearby Fairfax, Virginia, has been under investigation since 2010 for suspicious behavior. He also reportedly traveled twice to Libya in 2011 with intentions of helping the rebellion against late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
However, and instead of engaging with true ISIS associates, Young was actually in touch with undercover agents of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld called the charges “profoundly disturbing” in a statement, adding, “…[Metro Transit Police Department] Chief [Ronald] Pavlik and I have worked hand-in-glove with the FBI in the interest of public safety and to ensure that this individual would be brought to justice.”
ABC News, which first reported the news, cited anonymous sources while reporting there is “no pending threat to the D.C. transportation system.” The outlet also reported that Metro transit police “initiated” the probe into Young, and the FBI has been investigating for “several years.” Young has been relieved of his position as a D.C. transit officer.
(Via ABC News & NBC Washington)