We were a bit taken aback to learn that former D.C. public schools official Kifah Jayyousi was recently arrested for alleged ties to terrorists. According to MSNBC, Jayyousi is accused of being a follower of radical Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman (pictured) and charged with “providing material support to terrorist groups and conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure people or damage property in a foreign country.”

NBC 4 reports that Jayyousi served as chief facilities officer for D.C. public schools from July 1999 to April 2001. Prior to his time in D.C., Jayyousi served as assistant superintendent of schools in Detroit. According to reports, he left the U.S. in 2003, to live in Egypt. Jayyousi was arrested in Detroit on Sunday, after getting off of a flight from Amsterdam. He appeared in court this morning. Jayyousi faces a total of up to 50 years in prison, and a $250,000 if found guilty of all charges.