40 human skulls, other bones used as decorations found in Kentucky man's home, authorities say

WASHINGTON (TND) — Human remains -- including dozens of skulls -- were found inside a man's house in Kentucky, according to authorities.

In an affidavit, an agent with theFederal Bureau of Investigation noted approximately 40 skulls, as well as femurs, hip bones, and a Harvard Medical School bag, were discovered during a raid at 39-year-old James Nott’s home in Bullitt County Tuesday morning.

The skulls were decorated around the furniture. One skull had a head scarf around it. One skull was located on the mattress where Nott slept. A Harvard Medical School bag was found inside the Residence," Special Agent Sara J. Cunning noted in the affidavit.

Cunning wrote that authorities also found a slew of weapons, such as an AK-47 rifle, a .38 special, Charter Arms, a revolver, ammunition, grenades, and plates for body armor.

The FBI, along with the Mt. Washington Police Department, executed a warrantin connection with a search for guns and trafficked human remains, which led to Nott's arrest.

During the search, "an FBI agent asked Nott asked if anyone else was inside the residence," the document noted. "Nott responded, 'only my dead friends.'"

Nott, who is a convicted felon, as he was arrested on gun charges in 2011, was also linked to a nationwide trafficking ring in which several suspects were accused of purchasing and selling stolen human remains, some of which were tied back to the Harvard Medical School and a mortuary in Arkansas.

The FBI began looking into Nott after he had chatted with Jeremy Pauley, a man from Pennsylvania -- who was also being investigated for his role in the trafficking ring.

"How much total for the couple and the last video you sent plus the spines?” the FBI said Pauley asked Nott.

"Just let me know a grand total and I’ll get you paid. No rush!” Pauley wrote.

Authorities said Pauley gave authorities information about multiple people involved in the case, including Cedric Lodge, the morgue manager for the Harvard Medical School who was charged in June.

Nott used the alias "William Burke" on Facebook to buy and sell human bones. In an exchange with Pauley, Cunning said Nott sent videos and pictures of the remains.

Law enforcement officers have viewed Nott's public Facebook page and have seen him post human remains for sale on Facebook as recently as June 2023," the affidavit noted.

Authorities said Nott was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Nott faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

It's unclear what charges he will face in connection to the human remains.

"A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors," according to a statement from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. "There is no parole in the federal system."

The case remains under investigation.