LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Bullitt County man who was arrested in July was in federal court Monday afternoon.

James Nott, 40, was in court to change his plea from not guilty to guilty, on gun charges. He's accused of unlawfully having two guns and ammunition due to a prior conviction. 

Nott was arrested in July after the FBI obtained a warrant for his arrest as part of an investigation they started last year. According to court documents, Nott purchased human remains online using the alias of serial killer "William Burke."

However, Nott is not charged with anything to do with the human remains found, but instead for having weapons, including an AK-47.

Law enforcement viewed Nott's public Facebook page, which they say included posts about human remains for sale as recently as June 2023. While searching his home, investigators found around 40 human skulls, spinal cords, femurs and hip bones. The skulls were decorated and around furniture in the apartment. One of the skulls had a head scarf around it, while another was on Nott's bed.

FBI agents also found an AK-47 with loaded magazines, dummy grenades, two plates of body armor and a loaded .38 special revolver.

Nott was previously sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for felony violations including possession of an unregistered destructive device and possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of marijuana.

On Monday in federal court in downtown Louisville, Judge Colin Lindsay said he will recommend that Judge Charles Simpson accept Nott's guilty plea. Ultimately, it will be up to Simpson to accept this plea and determine a sentence.

Federal prosecutors are recommending a sentence and fine at the lowest end of the guidelines but not less than the mandatory minimum. 

Nott remains in custody and is being housed in the Oldham County Detention Center. His sentencing hearing is set for March 2024.

Related Stories:

Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.