Dallas, January 23 (RHC)-- A U.S. journalist and activist accused of working with Anonymous has been given a five-year prison term and ordered to pay nearly $900,000 in restitution and fines.

Barrett Brown was sentenced on Thursday in Dallas, Texas, after pleading guilty to charges of transmitting threats, accessory to a cyber-attack and obstruction of justice.

Brown originally faced charges punishable by more than 100 years in jail, but the sentence was reduced after he pleaded guilty to lesser charges. The 33-year-old journalist said that he broke the law to reveal details of illegal U.S. government activity. The case has drawn criticism from advocates of free speech and media rights organizations.

Brown became an advocate for Anonymous and was often interviewed about the group. He was arrested after posting a link to data hacked from an American defense intelligence firm called Stratfor, which is thought to be associated with the CIA.

Supporters say Brown has been unfairly targeted for investigating the highly secretive world of private intelligence and U.S. military contractors.