By Allan Lengelticklethewire.com
The feds have busted a Roman Catholic priest in Missouri on charges of producing and possessing child pornography after he allegedly took photos of girls ages 2 to 12 on church property over a six year period, including in the choir loft.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City charged Shawn Ratigan, 45, of Independence, Mo., in a 13 count indictment on Tuesday.
“When a person who has been placed in a position of trust exploits and victimizes children, he victimizes the entire community,” U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips said. “Today’s indictment sends a strong message that we will not tolerate this criminal behavior.”
Ratigan, 45, was the parish pastor at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., and more recently served as chaplain to the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Eucharist in Independence.
