Trial delayed for police officer charged with terrorism

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A judge has ordered a one-week delay in the trial of the first law enforcement officer in the U.S. ever to be charged with a terrorism offence.

Jury selection was scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. Nicholas Young was a police officer in the region’s Metro system when he was arrested last year in a government sting.

Judge Leonie Brinkema ordered the delay after defence lawyers asked for more time to review a new batch of evidence.

Prosecutors say Young bought nearly $250 in gift cards he intended for the Islamic State group, giving the cards to an individual who turned out to be an FBI source.

Young’s lawyers say the sting operation amounts to entrapment.

Documents show Young had been under surveillance since 2010.