A US OFFICER has been charged with trying to support the Islamic State.

Authorities say the Washington, DC-area transit police officer has been charged in an FBI sting with attempting to support the Islamic State group.

The FBI says he is the first law enforcement officer in the US to be charged with a terror-related crime.

Court documents say 36-year-old Nicholas Young of Fairfax was arrested this morning. According to an affidavit, Young bought nearly $250 in gift cards he intended for the Islamic State to use to purchase mobile apps that would facilitate communication.

But Young actually gave the gift cards to an undercover FBI source.

Documents show Young has been under surveillance since 2010, and that he travelled to Libya twice in 2011, where he said he joined rebel forces seeking to oust dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Officials say Young did not pose any threat to the Metro system.

Comments are off as a person has been charged.

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