By John P. Tretbar ~ St. Joseph Post

A former St Joseph priest indicted for producing child pornography has pleaded guilty in federal court in Kansas City.

David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri says Shawn Ratigan pleaded guilty in federal court to producing child pornography.

“Today’s guilty plea required the defendant to publicly admit that he victimized five young children over the course of several years,” Ketchmark said.

“Each of Ratigan’s victims is represented in this guilty plea so that each child will receive the justice she deserves. When a sexual predator wears a collar, his crimes impact the entire community. This predator priest will now face tough mandatory penalties for his crimes.”

Ratigan, 46, of Independence, Mo., a diocesan priest and former pastor or assistant pastor in several area parishes, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to charges contained in an Aug. 9, 2011, federal indictment.

A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.