A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment against Terrance Michael Ciszek, also known as DrMonster, a Buffalo Police Detective. The charges include affecting transactions with access devices issued to other persons and aggravated identity theft. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Ciszek had previously been indicted for possession of unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud and making a false statement to an agency of the United States.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly is handling the case. According to Kruly, since August 2018, the FBI has investigated Genesis Market, an illicit online marketplace where operators collect stolen data from malware-infected computers worldwide and sell it using virtual currency such as bitcoin.
The superseding indictment and an earlier complaint allege that between March and August 2020, Ciszek purchased 11 packages on Genesis Market containing 194 stolen account credentials. In March and April 2020, he allegedly attempted to use stolen credit cards for purchases. On April 15, 2020, Ciszek is accused of possessing and using another person’s identification information.
On April 4, 2023, Ciszek allegedly made false statements to the FBI by denying he had purchased stolen credentials from the internet and suggesting his nephew may have been responsible for such purchases.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo stated: "The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."
