TL;DR
A 24-year-old Tennessee resident, Nicholas Moore, is expected to admit to repeatedly accessing the U.S. Supreme Court’s electronic filing system during late 2023. Prosecutors say Moore accessed a protected computer on 25 different days between August and October 2023; details about what was taken and how remain undisclosed.
What happened
Prosecutors say Nicholas Moore, 24, of Springfield, Tennessee, will plead guilty to unauthorized access of the U.S. Supreme Court’s electronic filing system. According to a court filing cited by prosecutors, Moore “intentionally accessed a computer without authorization on 25 different days” between August and October 2023 and thereby obtained information from a protected computer. He is scheduled to enter his plea via video link on Friday. Officials from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which brought the charges, declined to release further information beyond what has been made public. The Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment, and Moore’s attorney did not reply to an inquiry. The matter was flagged in public court records by Seamus Hughes of Court Watch. The reporting notes this incident follows other compromises of U.S. court systems in recent years, prompting agencies to bolster defenses.
Why it matters
- The breach targeted a central judicial system used to file and manage court documents, potentially exposing sensitive legal information.
- Repeated unauthorized access over months suggests persistent vulnerability in court cybersecurity or targeted probing.
- The case is part of a broader pattern of attacks on U.S. judicial systems, prompting federal agencies to strengthen protections.
- Limited public detail on what was accessed or how complicates assessment of the breach’s scope and impact.
Key facts
- Defendant: Nicholas Moore, 24, resident of Springfield, Tennessee.
- Alleged conduct: intentionally accessed a computer without authorization and obtained information from a protected computer.
- Timeframe: alleged activity occurred between August and October 2023.
- Frequency: prosecutors say Moore accessed the system on 25 different days.
- Plea: Moore is scheduled to plead guilty by video link on Friday.
- Case brought by: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
- Limited official comment: court spokesperson said prosecutors cannot provide more than what is public; DOJ did not respond.
- Defense counsel: Moore’s lawyer, Eugene Ohm, did not respond to requests for comment.
- Discovery: the case was first noted by Court Watch researcher Seamus Hughes.
- Context: follows other cyber incidents involving U.S. court systems; the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts reported hardening defenses after a prior breach blamed on Russian-linked hackers.
What to watch next
- Detailed charging and plea documents that might specify what records were accessed — not confirmed in the source.
- Any prosecutor statements or court filings revealing the method of access or extent of data exfiltrated — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether the case prompts further public disclosures or additional investigations into judicial IT systems — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Electronic filing system: A digital platform used by courts to receive, store and manage legal documents and case records.
- Protected computer: A computer or network covered by federal law that, when accessed without authorization, can trigger criminal charges.
- Plead guilty: A formal admission in court that the defendant committed the offense they are charged with.
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia: A federal trial court in Washington, D.C., that handles federal criminal and civil cases, including prosecutions brought by the Department of Justice.
Reader FAQ
Who is accused in this case?
Prosecutors identify the accused as 24-year-old Nicholas Moore of Springfield, Tennessee.
When did the alleged access occur?
Prosecutors say the activity took place between August and October 2023 on 25 different days.
What specific documents or information were taken?
Not confirmed in the source.
How will the defendant enter the plea?
Moore is scheduled to plead guilty by video link on Friday.
IN BRIEF Posted: 11:04 AM PST · January 13, 2026 IMAGE CREDITS: RUDY SULGAN / GETTY IMAGES Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai Man to plead guilty to hacking US Supreme Court filing system…
Sources
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