A Florida man who used stolen login details to infiltrate three US government networks received probation on Thursday after a federal judge ruled he posed no immediate threat to public safety. Nicholas Moore, 28, admitted to hacking the systems in 2024 and later boasted about the breaches on Instagram under the handle @ihackedthegovernment. He also published personal information belonging to victims, including addresses and phone numbers.
Prosecutors had sought a 24-month prison sentence, arguing Moore's actions compromised sensitive data and disrupted government operations. His defense team countered that he did not sell or misuse the stolen information, and that he cooperated with investigators after his arrest in Florida last year.
During the sentencing hearing in Washington, D.C., the judge noted Moore's lack of prior criminal record and his limited technical sophistication. The probation terms include a six-month ban on using social media and mandatory cybersecurity training. Moore must also pay restitution to the affected agencies.
The case stems from an investigation by the US Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which traced the breaches to Moore's IP address. The hacked systems included a non-public filing portal used by the US Supreme Court, though no classified documents were accessed.
Security experts have criticized the leniency of the sentence, warning it could encourage similar behavior. Moore's probation period will be monitored by federal probation officers, with a review scheduled after one year.
Source: techcrunch.com