Photo by anokarina

Officials say they have charged a Metro Transit police officer for attempting to provide materials to ISIS. Nicholas Young, of Fairfax, was arrested this morning, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente from the Eastern District of Virginia.

On July 28, the 36-year-old sent 22 gift card codes to an undercover FBI agent with a message that stated: “Respond to verify receipt . . . may not answer depending on when as this device will be destroyed after all are sent to prevent the data being possibly seen on this end in the case of something unfortunate.” The gift cards were for mobile messaging accounts that ISIS uses in recruiting.

According to an affidavit, Young has been employed as a police officer with the Metro Transit Police Department since 2003. He’s been under scrutiny since 2009, when Metro officials reported suspicious behavior to the FBI, NBC News reports.

Authorities said “there was never any credible or specific threat to the Metro system,” according to The Washington Post.

Young’s known acquaintances include Zachary Chesser, who pleaded guilty in 2010 to providing material support to terrorists, and Amine El Khalifi, who pleaded guilty to charges relating to attempting a suicide bombing at the U.S. Capitol Building in 2012, according to the release.

Metro has fired Young, who is slated to appear in court at 2 p.m. today. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.