The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has reported that Joshua Taylor, a 46-year-old resident of Wernersville, Pennsylvania, entered a guilty plea on May 15, 2025. The plea was made before Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann concerning charges related to the interstate transport of stolen human remains.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus disclosed that Taylor admitted to purchasing human remains between 2018 and 2022, fully aware they were stolen from Harvard Medical School. He transported these remains from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania and subsequently sold them to others, including Jeremy Pauley, who had previously pleaded guilty to related charges.
The indictment highlighted allegations against Cedric Lodge, the manager of the morgue for Harvard Medical School's Anatomical Gifts Program in Boston, Massachusetts. It is alleged that Lodge stole organs and other cadaver parts intended for medical research before their scheduled cremations. Furthermore, it is claimed that Lodge transported some stolen remains to his home in Goffstown, New Hampshire. There he and his wife Denise Lodge allegedly sold them to Joshua Taylor and others using cellular phones and social media platforms. Taylor reportedly moved some of these remains back to Pennsylvania.
Other individuals have also entered guilty pleas in connection with this case: Denise Lodge awaits sentencing; Andrew Ensanian; Matthew Lampi received a 15-month prison sentence; Angelo Pereyra was sentenced to 18 months in prison; Candace Chapman-Scott was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty in an Arkansas federal court for stealing remains from an Arkansas crematorium where she worked and selling them to Pauley in Pennsylvania.
The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the East Pennsboro Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan Martin is handling prosecution duties.
Federal law stipulates a maximum penalty of up to ten years imprisonment for this offense, alongside supervised release post-imprisonment and potential fines. Sentencing follows consideration by a judge based on applicable federal statutes and guidelines. Individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court.