Barrett Brown, a freelance journalist and activist, was sentenced Thursday to 63 months in prison in Texas after pleading guilty to charges including transmitting threats, being an accessory to a hack and interfering with a search warrant, according to multiple reports.

The trial raised questions about how the government prosecutes cyber crime, and the sentencing is likely to draw the ire of the digital rights community.

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The charges stemmed from a 2011 incident in which the activist hacking group Anonymous reportedly stole credit card numbers and other personal data from security firm Stratfor.

Brown, who closely followed the group, published a link to a forum with the stolen information, which got the FBI’s attention.

Charges eventually followed. They ranged from identity theft to making Internet threats against government officials in YouTube videos to aiding and abetting the hackers. Many of the charges were dropped before Brown pleaded guilty in April 2014.

Brown’s defenders argue the government is disproportionately punishing Brown for simply posting a link.

Justice Department prosecutors saw it differently.

“By transferring and posting the hyperlink, Brown caused the data to be made available to other persons online, without the knowledge and authorization of Stratfor and the card holders,” the department said after Brown’s indictment.

Some have alleged Brown was also affiliated with Anonymous, which he denies.

Before his sentencing, Brown read a statement expressing regret for posting the YouTube videos and interfering with the government’s investigation.

“The videos were idiotic,” he said. “Likewise, I didn’t have the right to hide my files from the FBI during a lawful investigation.”

But Brown pushed back against the link-posting charges.

“I think Your Honor understands that one can regret the unjust things one has done, while also being concerned about the unjust things that have been done to him,” he said.

“The fact that the government has still asked you to punish me for that link is proof, if any more were needed, that those of us who advocate against secrecy are to be pursued without regard for the rule of law, or even common decency,” Brown continued.

Given Brown’s 28 months of time served, he could serve up to three more years in prison. He will also have to pay roughly $890,000 in restitution fees.