Matthew Keys, Reuters Deputy Social Media Editor, Charged For Helping Anonymous Hack The LA Times

A well-known social media figure, Matthew Keys, has been indicted by the U.S. government for his interactions with the hacker group "Anonymous." He allegedly gave log-in information to some of the hackers to a computer server owned by Tribune Co, which owns the Los Angeles Times. 

"According to the indictment, Keys identified himself on an Internet chat forum as a former Tribune Company employee and provided members of Anonymous with a login and password to the Tribune Company server," reads the Department of Justice press release.

Matthew Keys was a deputy social media editor at Reuters. He used to work for Tribune-owned FOX affiliate KTXL until he was fired in 2010. He was named as one of the top 140 people to follow on Twitter by Time Magazine in 2012. 

"After providing log-in credentials, Keys allegedly encouraged the Anonymous members to disrupt the website. According to the indictment, at least one of the computer hackers used the credentials provided by Keys to log into the Tribune Company server, and ultimately that hacker made changes to the web version of a Los Angeles Times news feature," says the Department of Justice. 

The changes?

One of the headlines was changed to "Pressure builds in House to elect CHIPPY 1337." The reference is to another hacking group that took shots at Eidos back in 2011. 

If it sounds rather trite, you're not the only one. Keys' lawyer has said that it's nothing more than a joke, and doesn't warrant the heavy possible sentencing. 

"No one was hurt, there were no lasting injuries, no one's identify was stolen, lives weren't ruined," said Matthew Keys' attorney, Jay Leiderman. "It was a joke, and I guess a joke will get you 25 years in prison."

Keys is charged with conspiracy to transmit information to damage a protected computer, transmitting information to damage a protected computer, and attempted transmission of information to damage a protected computer. 

The Department of Justice states that,  "Each of the two substantive counts carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The conspiracy count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000."