Former Reuters Deputy Social Media Editor Matthew Keys was convicted in a California court of conspiring to help the hacktivist group Anonymous hack into the Los Angeles Times and alter information on its website.

According to the Justice Dept., Keys was found guilty of unauthorized changes to a the website, transmitting malicious code, and attempted transmission of malicious code.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said: “Although he did no lasting damage, Keys did interfere with the business of news organizations, and caused the Tribune Company to spend thousands of dollars protecting its servers. Those who use the Internet to carry out personal vendettas against former employers should know that there are consequences for such conduct.”

Although he could face up to 25 years in prison, the prosecuting attorney indicated that they won't seek to put him behind bars for more than five years. He could also get probation.

Source: Huffington Post