Former Calif. journalist charged with conspiracy

Former Calif. journalist charged with conspiracy for working with hacker group 'Anonymous'

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The Justice Department is charging a former web producer for the Sacramento-based FOX station KTXL of conspiring with members of the hacker group "Anonymous" to hack into and alter a Tribune Company website.

Matthew Keys was named Thursday in an indictment filed in federal court in Sacramento. The 26-year-old from New Jersey faces one count each of conspiracy to transmit information to damage a protected computer, as well transmitting and attempting to transmit that information.

The government alleges that Keys gave Anonymous members a login and password for a computer server belonging to FOX40's corporate parent, the Tribune Company. Prosecutors say Keys encouraged the hackers to disrupt the website, and at least one hacker used the credentials to change the online version of a Los Angeles Times story.