Former United Nations weapons inspector and prominent anti-war activist Scott Ritter, who spent years slamming the Bush Administration for invading Iraq, has been sentenced to 5 1/2 years in an underage sex case involving unlawful contact with a minor. He was convicted on six counts relating to an undercover sting.

The 50-year-old Delmar man was sentenced for his conviction on six counts, including unlawful contact with a minor, following a spring trial in a northeastern Pennsylvania courtroom. He had remained free on $25,000 bail pending sentencing, which was adjourned several times.

Evidence at trial in Stroudsburg, Pa., showed that in February 2009, Ritter masturbated on a Web camera and engaged in a sexually graphic online chat with an undercover Barrett Township, Pa., police officer posing as a 15-year-old girl.

Ritter, who described insurgents killing American troops as “legitimate” and who falsely accused the Bush Administration of preparing to attack Iran, won’t be eligible for parole for 18 months. He can be held for a maximum of the 5 1/2 year sentence, though, and he received no credit for time already served.

But that’s not the harshest penalty for Ritter. The judge ruled that he qualifies as a sex offender, meaning he will have to register in the public database and remain on the registry for life. It bars him from entering schools, being trusted around children, and other normal aspects of life.

Yet another conspiracy theorist and apologist for terror goes down as a sleezebucket. What a surprise. Have fun in prison, Ritter.