The deputy social media editor of Reuters news service was charged with conspiracy for leaking information about one of his former employers to Anonymous, the hacking collective.

The Department of Justice accuses Matthew Keys, 26, of providing Anonymous with log-in information to a computer server belonging to the Tribune Company in December 2010. Keys worked for Sacramento-based television station KTXL FOX 40, owned by the Tribune Company, as a web producer until he was terminated in October 2010.

"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. After providing log-in credentials, Keys allegedly encouraged the Anonymous members to disrupt the website," the DOJ press release reads.

The indictment also alleges that Keys conversed with a hacker who took credit for breaking into the Los Angeles Times website, in which Keys responded "nice." When the hacker allegedly said the Tribune Company locked him out, Keys allegedly tried to regain access for him.