LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHP) — A Kentucky man federal prosecutors have connected with an interstate network of buying and selling of human body parts has pleaded guilty to a gun charge.
James Nott pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He could face up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years supervised release.
Nott was arrested in July 2023 after the FBI raided his home in Mount Washington, KY.
According to court documents, Nott had 40 skulls, spinal cords, femurs, and hip bones in his home. Authorities said the skulls were decorated around the furniture, one skull had a head scarf wrapped around it, and one skull was located on the mattress where Nott slept.
When FBI agents raided the home, according to the complaint, they asked Nott if anyone else was there and he told them, "Only my dead friends."
Officials also found weapons in the home, including the one he was charged with having, a Chinese, AK-type 7.62 mm rifle. He was not supposed to have a weapon because he was previously convicted in November 2011.
Court documents explained authorities were led to Nott by Central Pennsylvania native Jeremy Pauley.
Pauley has pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and interstate transportation of stolen property. However, Pauley has pleaded not guilty in connection with state charges in Pennsylvania.
According to the criminal complaint, Pauley and Nott communicated over Facebook. Nott used the username "William Burke" and sent Pauley photos and videos of skulls that were for sale. Law enforcement officials said they viewed Nott's public Facebook page and saw him post human remains for sale.
Candace Chapman Scott was indicted for selling boxes of human body parts in May. She was employed at Arkansas Central Morturary Services. She was accused of selling Pauley various remains including hearts, brains, and two still born fetuses.
Cedric Lodge was charged in a separate indictment in June, along with five other people. He was the former head of the Harvard Medical School Anatomical Gift Program. Lodge is accused of transporting stolen remains from Boston to his home in New Hampshire where he and his wife Denise sold the remains.
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