Man Admits to Selling Stolen Human Body Parts
In a startling revelation, Jeremy Pauley from Thompson, Pennsylvania, has confessed to his involvement in the illicit trade of stolen human body parts, sourced from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary. Pauley is one of seven individuals who were charged in connection with this case back in June.
Pauley has now pleaded guilty to conspiracy and the interstate transportation of stolen property, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. His admission to these charges could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years, though a sentencing date has yet to be determined.
In his confession, Pauley acknowledged purchasing human remains from various individuals, fully aware that these remains were obtained through theft. He also admitted to selling many of these stolen body parts to other individuals, including at least one buyer who was also cognizant of the illegal origin of the goods.
Another individual involved in this case is Cedric Lodge from Goffstown, New Hampshire, who stands accused of pilfering dissected parts of corpses that had been donated to Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. At the time of these alleged crimes, Lodge served as the morgue manager.
These body parts were taken without the knowledge or permission of the educational institution, according to authorities. Notably, Harvard Medical School has fully cooperated with the ongoing investigation. Lodge is believed to have transported some of the stolen remains to his home, including heads, brains, skin, and bones. Additionally, he allegedly sent certain body parts to buyers via postal mail and even permitted buyers to visit the morgue in person to select the remains they wished to purchase.
Denise Lodge, Cedric Lodge’s wife, also faces charges related to this case. Both of them refrained from making any comments on the charges during their initial court appearance in June. Presently, the Lodge couple, along with four other individuals implicated in the scheme, await their trials.
According to prosecutors, these defendants were part of a nationwide network involved in the unlawful trade of body parts stolen from both Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary. It’s worth noting that bodies donated to Harvard Medical School are typically utilized for educational, teaching, or research purposes. After fulfilling their intended purposes, the corpses are usually subjected to cremation, and the ashes are either returned to the donor’s family or interred in a cemetery.