A former St Joseph priest indicted for producing child pornography has pleaded guilty.

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.  Under federal statutes, each count of producing (or attempting to produce) child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in federal prison without parole, with a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole for each count.

In a news release, Ketchmark said the victims ranged in age from two to twelve years old at the time of the offenses.  He told reporters the exploitation occured at several locations, including a church choir loft, over a period of six years.

Ratigan pleaded guilty to four counts of producing child pornography and one count of attempting to produce child pornography. Each of those counts involved the sexual exploitation of a separate child victim.

Victim Jane Doe #1

Ratigan admitted that he exploited a 6-year-old minor, identified as Jane Doe #1, to produce an image of child pornography between June 11 and 12, 2005.

Victim Jane Doe #2

Ratigan admitted that he took pictures as he exploited a 2-year-old minor, identified as Jane Doe #2, to produce child pornography on May 17, 2006, in the buildings of St. Joseph’s Church in Easton, Mo.

Victim Jane Doe #3

Ratigan admitted that he took pornographic pictures of his exploitation of a 5-year-old minor, identified as Jane Doe #3, between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1, 2007.

Victim Jane Doe #4 

Ratigan admitted that he attempted to produce child pornography by taking close-up shots of the crotch area of the bathing suit of a 7-year-old victim, identified as Jane Doe #4, without her knowledge on July 6, 2009.

Victim Jane Doe #5 

Ratigan admitted that he pulled down the pants of a minor victim, identified as Jane Doe #5, while she was sleeping and took pornographic pictures. This occurred between Aug. 1, 2008, and Sept. 1, 2009, while the victim was eight and nine years old.