Nicholas Young, Attempting to Support ISIL, Virginia 2016

Nicholas Young, a 36-year-old law enforcement officer from Fairfax, Virginia, was arrested today on charges of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, Young was employed by the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) as a law enforcement officer since 2003. In 2011, he traveled to Libya and attempted to travel there a second time. He told FBI agents that he had been with rebels attempting to overthrow the Muammar Qaddafi regime.

Baggage searches revealed that Young traveled with body armor, a kevlar helmet, and several other military-style items, according to the allegations. In 2014, Young allegedly met with an undercover law enforcement officer, who posed as a U.S. military reservist of Middle Eastern descent who wanted to travel overseas to join ISIL.

During these conversations, Young advised the officer on how to evade law enforcement detection by utilizing specific travel methods and advised him to watch out for informants and not discuss his plans with others. In June 2015, Young emailed the officer asking for advice from his commanders on how to send money to ISIL.

The complaint alleges that Young’s actions demonstrate his intent to provide material support to ISIL. He is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Theresa C. Buchanan of the Eastern District of Virginia at 2:00 p.m. today.

The charges against Young carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Young’s initial appearance is scheduled for today, and he will face trial at a later date. The FBI’s Washington Field Office investigated the case with the help of the Eastern District of Virginia and the Metro Transit Police Department.

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