Kentucky man found with 40 skulls in home, allegedly linked to Harvard morgue thefts

A Kentucky man who allegedly had 40 skulls in his home may be another player in a nationwide body parts-selling scheme that included stolen cadavers from Harvard Medical School, according to federal investigators.

FBI agents searched the home of James Nott on Tuesday and found 40 human skulls, spinal cords, femurs, hip bones and a Harvard Medical School bag, according to court records.

When asked if anyone else was home during the search, Nott allegedly replied "only my dead friends."

The former manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue, Cedric Lodge, and his wife, Denise, are accused of taking body parts from the morgue, selling and shipping them to people across the country.

Some of those remains were allegedly purchased by Jeremy Pauley, of Pennsylvania. After local police found organs, skin and other human remains at his home last year, he provided more information about others involved in the network, according to court records.

As recently as June, Nott posted human remains, including skulls, for sale on his public Facebook page, investigators say. He went by the name "William Burke," a 19th century serial killer who sold his victims' bodies for use in medical training.

Nott and Pauley last year exchanged Facebook messages about buying and selling skulls and other parts, investigators say.

Nott hasn't been charged with any crimes related to the remains, but instead was arrested for illegally possessing a firearm. During the search, agents found a handgun and AK-47. He remains in custody and has not yet entered a plea.

Others accused in the scheme, including the Lodges, are charged in federal court in Pennsylvania with conspiracy and transporting stolen goods. They have pleaded not guilty.

A Salem woman, Katrina Maclean, is also facing charges of buying and selling body parts, including trading tanned skin with Pauley. She has also pleaded not guilty.

Pauley has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transport stolen property and transportation of stolen property, according to court records. He could face up to 15 years in prison.