Pennsylvania Man Admits Role in Multi-State Human Remains Trafficking Scheme

A Berks County man has pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking stolen human remains across state lines, becoming the latest individual convicted in a case involving body parts illicitly removed from cadavers donated to Harvard Medical School. The plea marks a significant development in an ongoing federal investigation that has resulted in multiple convictions nationwide.

Joshua Taylor, 46, of Wernersville, Pennsylvania, admitted to transporting stolen human remains from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania between 2018 and 2022. Taylor knowingly purchased the remains, which had been illegally taken from the Anatomical Gifts Program at Harvard Medical School. He later resold these remains to various individuals, including Jeremy Pauley, a Pennsylvania man who previously pleaded guilty in connection with the same scheme.

Court documents state that the thefts originated with Cedric Lodge, then the morgue manager at Harvard’s Anatomical Gifts Program. Lodge allegedly stole organs and other cadaver parts intended for educational use and cremation. He and his wife, Denise Lodge, reportedly sold the remains from their New Hampshire residence, coordinating transactions with Taylor and others through phones and social media platforms.

Multiple individuals have faced prosecution in the case. Denise Lodge, Andrew Ensanian, Matthew Lampi, and Angelo Pereyra have all pleaded guilty. Lampi received a 15-month sentence, while Pereyra was sentenced to 18 months. Denise Lodge is currently awaiting sentencing. In a related case, Candace Chapman-Scott, who stole remains from a crematorium in Arkansas and sold them to Pauley, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

The investigation involved the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and East Pennsboro Township Police Department. Prosecutors have indicated that Taylor could face up to 10 years in prison, supervised release, and a fine. Sentencing will follow federal guidelines and is at the discretion of the court.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

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