ALEXANDRIA: A former transit-agency police officer convicted in a sting operation of attempting to help the militant group Daesh could face decades in prison at his sentencing hearing.
Thirty-eight-year-old Nicholas Young was a patrol officer in the D.C. region’s Metrorail system. He was known as “Officer Friendly” at the Takoma Park station where he was assigned.
A federal jury convicted Young in December on multiple counts, including attempted material support of a terrorist group.
Young purchased more than $200 in gift cards he believed would be used to purchase mobile-phone apps that Daesh could use to communicate securely. In reality, though, Young’s Daesh connection was an FBI informant.
Young argued unsuccessfully at trial that he was entrapped. He faces up to 60 years at his sentencing hearing Friday.
FBI ‘Daesh informant’ officer convicted at terrorism trial faces decades in prison
FBI ‘Daesh informant’ officer convicted at terrorism trial faces decades in prison
NATO chief talks Arctic security with Rubio amid US Greenland push
- Trump says controlling the mineral-rich island is crucial for US national security
- NATO has sought to deflect Washington’s interest in Greenland
BRUSSELS: NATO chief Mark Rutte on Friday discussed efforts to bolster Arctic security with US top diplomat Marco Rubio, after President Donald Trump insisted he wants to take control of Greenland.
The US leader has rattled allies by refusing to rule out using military force to take over the autonomous territory of fellow NATO member Denmark.
Trump says controlling the mineral-rich island is crucial for US national security given the rising threat of Russia and China in the Arctic.
NATO has sought to deflect Washington’s interest in Greenland by emphasising steps it is taking to bolster security in the region.
A NATO spokeswoman said Rutte spoke with Rubio “on the importance of the Arctic to our shared security and how NATO is working to enhance our capabilities in the High North.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an armed US attack to take Greenland could spell the end for the 76-year-old Western military alliance.
But the head of NATO’s forces in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, said Friday the alliance was far from being in “a crisis,” following President Donald Trump’s threats.
