Nicholas Young, Attempted ISIL Support, Virginia 2024

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A former police officer is facing federal terrorism charges after being indicted for attempting to support the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and obstructing a federal investigation. Nicholas Young, 37, of Fairfax, once sworn to protect the public as a Metro Transit Police Department officer, now stands accused of using his training and access to shield a supposed ally who had joined the terrorist group.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury, alleges that between December 3, 2015, and July 28, 2016, Young attempted to provide material support to ISIL. That support included efforts to mislead FBI agents about the travel and intentions of an associate believed by Young to have joined ISIL in Syria. He also attempted to send gift cards to assist the terrorist organization, a move federal prosecutors say demonstrates active complicity.

At the heart of the obstruction charges is Young’s interaction with an FBI confidential human source (CHS). The indictment claims Young believed the CHS had traveled to Syria in late 2014 to join and fight for ISIL. Despite knowing the FBI was investigating that travel, Young allegedly lied during an interview, fabricating stories about the CHS’s destination and intent — all in an effort to derail the investigation and protect himself.

On or about November 20, 2014, Young escalated his interference by sending a text message to the CHS’s phone, attempting to create the false impression that the individual was merely on vacation in Turkey. In reality, Young believed the CHS was en route to Syria to join ISIL’s ranks. The message was designed to mislead federal authorities and influence the grand jury’s proceedings — a move that adds a serious layer of criminal conduct to the case.

If convicted, Nicholas Young faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. The charges — one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and one count of obstruction of justice — carry severe statutory consequences, underscoring the gravity with which the Justice Department treats domestic support for international terrorism, especially from law enforcement insiders.

The indictment was announced by Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and John T. Gibbs, along with Trial Attorney David P. Cora of the National Security Division. Court documents, including the indictment, are available on the Eastern District of Virginia’s District Court website and PACER under Case No. 1:16-cr-265. Young is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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