A 34-year-old man is facing nearly 500 charges after police found a trove of human remains he allegedly stole from graves in Pennsylvania.

Investigators caught Jonathan Gerlach of Ephrata coming out of the historic Mount Moriah Cemetery and Arboretum in Yeadon with a burlap bag and a crowbar.

‘To be able to sell body parts on the internet just appalls me, and I just think it should be stopped.’

In his car they discovered “numerous bones and skulls in plain view in the back seat.”

Gerlach allegedly admitted to stealing remains from more than 30 grave sites. Investigators were shocked when they searched his home and storage unit.

“Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life in that home,” said Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse at a press conference. “It is truly, in the most literal sense of the word, horrific. I grieve for those who are upset by this, who are going through this, who are trying to figure out if it is in fact one of their loved ones.”

They found that Gerlach was a part of a Facebook group where people allegedly sold and purchased human remains.

On Friday, some of the burglary charges were dropped against Gerlach, but he faced additional charges from other counties.

Judy Prichard McCleary said her great-grandfather’s mausoleum from 1915 at Mount Moriah Cemetery was broken into, and many remains were stolen.

“It just made me sick to my stomach to think anyone would want to do that,” she added. “To be able to sell body parts on the internet just appalls me, and I just think it should be stopped.”

Law enforcement sources told KYW-TV that Gerlach had been caught with the remains of two children in the burlap bag. The sources indicate that a plea deal is being sought.

RELATED: 4 people arrested over numerous incidents of human remains found scattered across New York, bail reform lets them walk free

McCleary went on to say that sentencing for grave robbing should be stiffened to deter potential criminals.

“I think laws need to change,” she said. “And we can’t sweep it under the rug because it will just happen again in five years or six years or after I’m gone, and people will wonder, ‘Why didn’t you do anything?'”

Gerlach was given a bail of $1 million and is being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

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​Jonathan gerlach, Mount moriah cemetery, Human remains theft, Pa man robs graves, Crime 

After years of controversy over the name and logo of the Washington, D.C., professional football team, its newest version was revealed on Wednesday to even more controversy.

The team adapted its Washington Commanders logo to include a spear running through it, apparently in reference to the previous Redskins logo and name.

‘It is time to stop repeating this cycle and listen to Native Peoples who have been clear, consistent, and unwavering on this issue: We are not your mascot.’

“Spear and W interweave at their centers, a powerful joining of past and present,” reads a post from the team on social media. “A design that captures the forward-focused spirit of the Commander, a leader of warriors.”

The Association on American Indian Affairs released a statement to USA Today opposing the logo.

“The Washington Commanders’ decision to update their logo is disappointing and inappropriate to say the least,” the statement reads. “It is time to stop repeating this cycle and listen to Native Peoples who have been clear, consistent, and unwavering on this issue: We are not your mascot.”

The National Congress of American Indians also opposed the new logo.

“The new alternate logo, released by the franchise this week, purports to join the past and present,” the group said in a statement. “NCAI maintains that any prideful nod to a harmful past, even one that may appear harmless on its face, can carry an insidious message and is therefore harmful.”

Others have previously called for the return of the Redskins name and logo.

Thomas White Calf told the New York Times that the former name and logo were patterned after his late uncle, Two Guns White Calf. He said restoring the old logo would honor his family and the Native American community.

“Cancel-culture racists decided at some point they wanted to get rid of Indian images in the public domain. The Redskins and Two Guns were their No. 1 target,” he said in Aug. 2025.

RELATED: Family of tribal chief who inspired Redskins logo calls for team to bring his ‘proud’ image back

The USA Today report included a statement of support for the new spear logo from the Native American Guardians Association.

“It’s encouraging to have a small piece of Native imagery represented again, honoring the deep connection between Native heritage and America’s sports traditions,” said the group’s president, Becky Clayton-Anderson.

Indigenous scholar Marcus Briggs-Cloud, on the other hand, said that “the image harkens back to European contrived imaginaries of the noble savage that reduce Indigenous Peoples to identities rooted in violence.”

The NFL draft begins on Thursday, while the next season is scheduled to begin on Sept. 9.

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A Florida doctor has been indicted in connection with the death of a 70-year-old man after authorities said the surgeon removed the wrong organ during surgery and caused “catastrophic blood loss” that killed the patient.

Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, 44, was indicted this week by a grand jury on a charge of second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of William Bryan of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, according to police.

‘This heartbreaking loss has devastated the family of William Bryan, and we are seeking justice for this senseless tragedy.’

The Pensacola News Journal reported that Bryan and his wife, Beverly, were visiting their rental property in Okaloosa County, Florida, when he suddenly began experiencing pain on the left side of his body, according to the family’s law firm.

The couple went to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida.

William was admitted to the hospital for further testing after doctors found a potential issue with his spleen, the law firm said.

The Florida Department of Health said the patient wanted to utilize medication management for his spleen issue instead of undergoing surgery.

However, Shaknovsky allegedly “continued to pressure” the patient to undergo surgery to remove his spleen, despite the man “repeatedly” saying that he didn’t want the surgery.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the alleged victim was scheduled to undergo a laparoscopic splenectomy on Aug. 21, 2024, which is a spleen removal surgery.

The health department said that operating room staff members were concerned about the procedure “being done so late in the day since they only had a skeletal crew” and that “splenectomies were complicated procedures that could quickly deteriorate and were not regularly performed” at the facility.

The Florida Department of Health also noted that Shaknovsky “arrived at the hospital approximately an hour late” for the surgery scheduled for 4 p.m.

Investigators said Shaknovsky removed the patient’s liver instead of his spleen.

The health department’s report stated, “Immediately after performing the dissection, Patient W.B. began to severely hemorrhage and went into cardiac arrest. Operating room staff members observed a significant amount of blood pouring out, immediately disrupting visibility in the field.”

The health department noted, “Spleens and livers are anatomically distinct, have different consistencies, and are different colors. Additionally, the spleen is located on the left side of the abdomen, while the liver is on the right side.”

The report said, “The staff looked at the readily identifiable liver on the table and were shocked when Dr. Shaknovsky told them that it was a spleen. One staff member felt sick to their stomach.”

Bryan was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said, “Dr. Shaknovsky removed the victim’s liver instead of his spleen, resulting in catastrophic blood loss and the patient’s death on the operating table.”

Dr. Shaknovsky told the staff that the patient died from a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm, according to the report.

The Florida Department of Health said a pathologist confirmed the organ tissue removed was an intact liver.

The report revealed that the “medical examiner observed that patient W.B.’s spleen and its attachments were untouched and in the normal position, his liver was missing, and his inferior cava had been severed.”

The health department pointed out, “The vena cava is the largest vein in the body and brings deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart for new oxygen. The inferior vena cava connects the liver to the heart.”

“Additionally, the medical examiner noted that there was no evidence of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm,” the report proclaimed.

The report claimed that Shaknovsky dissected Bryan’s inferior vena cava, “resulting in the bleeding event that precipitated his death.”

“Dr. Shaknovsky claims that due to his shock and the chaos of the situation, he was unable to properly identify the organ he removed and assumed it must be the spleen,” according to the health department.

The sheriff’s office stated, “The grand jury found probable cause to charge that the actions taken in the operating room constituted criminal conduct under Florida law.”

Shaknovsky was arrested in Miramar Beach and transported to the Walton County Jail.

Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said, “Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor.”

Adkinson added, “The grand jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process.”

The deceased man’s widow, Beverly Bryan, told NBC News, “When I tell people what happened, it still sounds too awful to be true that that could happen.”

Pensacola-based law firm Zarzaur Law P.A. filed a lawsuit against Shaknovsky and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in January 2025.

RELATED: Fake Florida nurse who treated nearly 4,500 patients gets sweetheart deal; judge reportedly asserts she ‘excelled at her job’

A spokesperson for Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast told NBC News, “Dr. Shaknovsky was never a Sacred Heart Emerald Coast employee and has not practiced at any of our facilities since August 2024.”

The spokesperson continued, “We remain focused on upholding the standards our patients and community expect of us.”

Authorities claim that two other patients of Shaknovsky experienced surgery mishaps, including one man who died after surgery.

In May 2023, a 58-year-old man went to the Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital to get an adrenalectomy, which is the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands.

The emergency suspension order stated, “During the surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky removed a portion of Patient G.D.’s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland.”

Following the surgery, the removed tissue was sent for pathological analysis, according to the Florida Department of Health.

A pathologist examined the purported adrenal gland specimen, which was actually tissue from the patient’s pancreas, the order revealed.

“In response to the allegations, Dr. Shaknovsky claimed that the adrenal gland had ‘migrated’ to a different part of the body,” the order said.

The State of Florida Department of Health said the patient “suffered from long-term, permanent harm as a result of Dr. Shaknovsky’s error.”

Florida Department of Health records show that Shaknovsky in August 2024 settled a malpractice claim for $400,000 in connection with the May 2023 case.

Another one of Shaknovsky’s patients died following a procedure, according to authorities.

NBC News reported that the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners said Shaknovsky removed part of a patient’s intestine during a procedure in July 2023, which caused a gastrointestinal perforation during which a hole develops in the intestine.

The patient was transported to the ICU shortly after the surgery and died, according to NBC News.

In September 2024, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo ordered the emergency suspension of Shaknovsky’s medical license.

The Florida Department of Health currently lists the status of Shaknovsky’s medical license as “retired,” and the license expired on March 31, 2026.

Public records show his license in New York was temporarily suspended in May 2025.

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners filed a court order to temporarily suspend Shaknovsky’s medical license shortly after Bryan’s death.

Citing records, the Washington Post reported that Shaknovsky voluntarily surrendered his medical license in Alabama after the board attempted to revoke his license.

The New York Times reported that Shaknovsky is scheduled for an arraignment in Walton County Circuit Court on May 19.

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In between the Cookie Monster explaining his favorite exercise and Elmo pretending to be a DJ with frisbees, “Sesame Street” took time to promote Arabic culture.

The formerly beloved children’s program put out a video celebrating “Arab-American Heritage Month” letting everyone know the word of the day is “habibi.”

‘Happy Arab-American Heritage Month, habibi.’

The word, a common term of affection often translated as “my dear,” was not only featured in the caption for the show’s social media push, but was featured in a video where Elmo learns Arabic along with viewers.

Sesame souk

New York comedian Ramy Youssef joined Elmo for the sketch; Youssef has Egyptian parents.

“Salam alaykum, everyone,” the comedian began, prompting questions from the muppet.

“Mr. Ramy, what does salam alaykum mean?”

Youssef explained that “salam means peace” and that the greeting is generally a “way to say hello.”

“Oh, cool,” Elmo replied, before repeating the greeting to the children. “Oh, salam alaykum everybody. … Happy Arab-American Heritage Month.”

Elmo and Youssef then dove into the “Sesame Street” word of the day to teach viewers another Arabic word.

RELATED: ‘Sesame Street’ targets children for Pride Month … again: ‘This should not be promoted to kids’

– YouTube

Muppet madrasa

In a video with 1.2 million views on TikTok, Youssef said, “‘I’m so proud of my Arab heritage, and I’m so happy to share this month with my fellow Arabs and Elmo. So, thanks, habibi.”

Elmo, who is neither Muslim nor a native Arabic speaker, again asked for the meaning of the word.

“Oh, it’s an Arabic word for a special friend,” the comedian replied.

“Really? Uh, well, happy Arab-American Heritage Month, habibi. We love you,” Elmo concluded.

The video might be more jarring if this type of content wasn’t part and parcel of “Sesame Street” in recent years.

The show has been heavily invested in promoting progressive politics to children, even extending that to dipping its furry toes into gender politics.

RELATED: ‘Elmo says ALL JEWS SHOULD DIE’: Elmo X account goes rabid, calls for genocide after alleged hack

BAY ISMOYO/AFP/Getty Images

Street smarts

In 2022, “Sesame Street” promoted gay and lesbian parents to children through a song, and in May 2020 it showcased Jonathan Van Ness, a man who claims to be nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns.

Other odd presentations have included Hispanic Heritage Month and “Sesame Street: The ABCs of COVID Vaccines.”

Youssef is reportedly a practicing Muslim and is married to a woman from Saudi Arabia.

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