BLOOMSBURG, PENNSLYVANIA: The girlfriend of a Pennsylvania man charged for allegedly buying human body parts and fetuses illegally defended him recently. The charges against Jeremy Pauley are reportedly conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen goods. The 41-year-old Pennsylvanian is one of the six people who have been charged in the racket.
In a statement, FBI Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire said, “The defendants violated the trust of the deceased and their families all in the name of greed. While today's charges cannot undo the unfathomable pain this heinous crime has caused, the FBI will continue to work tirelessly to see that justice is served.”
United States Attorney Gerard M Karam added, “Some crimes defy understanding. The theft and trafficking of humans remain strike at the very essence of what makes us human. It is particularly egregious that so many of the victims here volunteered to allow their remains to be used to educate medical professionals and advance the interests of science and healing. For them and their families to be taken advantage of in the name of profit is appalling. With these charges, we are seeking to secure some measure of justice for all these victims.”
‘His museum is all about education and reclamation’
However, Pauley’s girlfriend Sophie Mae Vee does not agree with the authorities as she asserted in a Facebook post, “Jeremy’s devotion to unusual antiquities is as unconditional as his appearance is, which is unfortunate in a situation where clickbait is as far as media reaches. Though there are many hiding in the dark, we will not."
Calling him “a conserver of history,” she also reportedly noted, “Properly preserved remains are perfectly legal in the legal states (excluding GA, TN, and LA). Jeremy repurposes retired remains to prevent specimens from being destroyed - his museum is all about education and reclamation.”
Besides, the website of The Memento Mori, which is Pauley’s museum, describes him as “the lead preservation specialist of retired medical specimens and curator to historic remains and artifacts.” It also mentions, “Through his work in the Institute of Preservation, Jeremy works to produce educational tools through reconditioning retired medical remains by means of plastination, corrosion casting, anatomical mounts, and all manners of preservation and restorative procedures.”
“Jeremy’s work in The Memento Mori Museum is to foster a place where lost histories are regained and respectfully displayed. Having dedicated his career to educating and understanding both medical and cultural history, Jeremy unifies his work to provide the public with a foundation of education,” the site further reads.
Vee alleged that a woman named “Candice” duped her boyfriend. The Daily Mail reported that Harvard morgue manager Cedric Lodge and Arkansas funeral home worker Candace Chapman Scott can go behind bars for up to 15 years for allegedly being involved in the illegal trading of fetuses, human brains, skin, and hearts.
It has been reported that over the past several months, Pauley allegedly transferred $10,975 to Scott as he bought a whole head, liver, kidney, brains, trachea, ears, “two fake boobies”, testicles, lungs, skin, a penis, and two fetuses from her. The two connected through messages with Scott approaching first.
Pauley also allegedly resold those parts to others and one of his customers was a tattoo artist named Matthew Lampi.
Who is Sophie Mae Vee?
Vee describes herself as a “human blood artist”. She also has her own website, which says that her “primary medium is human blood”. “From youth into adulthood, she has tamed the incredibly difficult agent to bend and flow to her artistic woes. Painting original artworks, commissioned portraits, and homages to the great female actresses and historic figures of horror, Sophie truly strives to put meaning in ‘Life Imitates Art,’” it explains.
Vee also has an Instagram page with more than 3K followers. She shares her work there as well. The woman also appears to work as a model since one of her social media shares showed her posing naked with what seemed like a white peacock. The caption said, “Buried Beside the Ghost Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Ghost my Soul to keep If I should die before I 'wake, I pray the Ghost my Soul to take.”
“This particular set was in honor of my recovery from my ED Ana. I have always used the white peacock (who we nicknamed The Ghost) as a symbol of positivity in mental health. I am proud of my journey and encourage anyone struggling to keep fighting for your self! You are loved! You matter!” Vee added.