Hacker Pleads Guilty to Breaching U.S. Supreme Court in Major Cyberattack

A hacker who bragged about his federal cyberattacks on the social media platform Instagram has pleaded guilty to his very public crime spree.

The case reveals how basic security failures can compromise America’s most important institutions. It also shows a hacker choosing social media fame over dark web profit.

Details of the High Profile Hack Attack

Nicholas Moore, 24 years old from Springfield, Tennessee, pled guilty last week to the charges against him. The evidence consisted of a rather simple explanation in the court’s filing. He used stolen login credentials from legitimate users to break in.

His targets were shockingly high-level. Moore repeatedly accessed the US Supreme Court’s electronic document filing system. This is the platform for secure legal submissions.

Nicholas infiltrated multiple networks at AmeriCorps, which is responsible for running programs to promote national service in the USA, before he also hacked the Veterans Administration (VA), which has thousands of systems holding very sensitive information regarding a person’s benefit and health history, as well as banks and many other institutions.

From those systems, Nicholas stole documents that contain personal identifying information (PII), including name, address, email addresses, and other necessary contact information for victims. The method wasn’t advanced. It relied on common tactics like credential stuffing or phishing.

Instagram Became His Digital Trophy Case

Moore’s next move set this case apart. Instead of selling the data privately on dark web marketplaces for profit—the common route for cybercriminals, as seen when the Everest hackers breached Bolttech and sold its stolen data, he broadcast it publicly. He used the Instagram account @ihackthegovernment as his public platform.

There, he posted the stolen personal data for anyone to see. This act of ‘doxxing’ amplified the harm. It exposed victims to the risk of identity theft and harassment by having their information released to the public.

Moore’s decision to use Instagram to post the personal information of people obtained from hacking several courts made what should have been a serious breach into a social media spectacle. The platform, meant for photos and videos, became an unlikely stage for cybercrime bragging. This public display helped investigators track him down.

The Penalties and Security Wake-Up Call

Moore faced computer fraud charges and just pleaded guilty—looks like he took a plea deal. Under federal law, the most he’s looking at is a year behind bars.

In addition to imprisonment, Moore may also have to pay fines and restitution to the victims of his hacking. Moore’s misdemeanor charge shows how complicated it can be for prosecutors to go after someone committing a crime publicly and not for any financial gain.

The implications of his actions are heavy. The breaches highlight persistent federal cybersecurity weaknesses. Institutions failed to quickly detect intrusions from stolen passwords.

Whether the goal is notoriety from a lone hacker or a multi-million dollar ransom from a corporate giant like Nissan, the root cause is often the same: exploitable vulnerabilities in critical systems.

The Supreme Court, AmeriCorps, and the VA all had their digital walls scaled. This was done not by a foreign state actor, but by a lone individual. He used basic tools and a desire for online attention.

This case is a clear warning. The trend toward ‘performative hacking’ reflects society’s increasing desire for digital fame. Government entities, such as courts, will need to increase security measures to protect themselves.

The digital world has expanded the hackers’ market and allows hackers to freely penetrate even the most prestigious courtrooms by stealing passwords and opening Instagram accounts.