10th Circuit Upholds 20-Year Sentence for Illegal Body Parts Sales
The 10th Circuit court upheld Megan Hess's 20-year sentence for illegal body parts sales.
Why it matters: This rare white collar crime involving a funeral home sets precedent for forensic and regulatory scrutiny. It highlights targeting of vulnerable victims, influencing future criminal prosecutions and regulatory oversight in funeral services.
- Megan Hess and Shirley Koch sold body parts from 811 bodies at Sunset Mesa Funeral Home, Colorado, earning $1.2 million.
- They targeted vulnerable victims: poor, elderly, or families of terminally ill, leading to sentencing enhancements.
- In July 2022, both pleaded guilty to mail fraud; sentencing occurred in January 2023, with Hess receiving 20 years and Koch 15 years.
- The 10th Circuit upheld the sentencing and the vulnerable victim enhancement on October 27, 2026.
On October 27, 2026, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the 20-year prison sentence of Megan Hess and the 15-year sentence of her mother, Shirley Koch. The sentences relate to their operation of the Sunset Mesa Funeral Home in Montrose, Colorado, where, between 2010 and 2018, they sold body parts from 811 bodies without proper consent, reaping approximately $1.2 million.
According to U.S. Circuit Judge Carolyn McHugh’s opinion, the defendants specifically targeted vulnerable individuals—including the poor and elderly and those grieving terminally ill loved ones—which increased their illegal acquisition and sales. This targeting justified a sentencing enhancement under section 3A1.1(b)(2), which the court upheld.
Hess and Koch pleaded guilty to mail fraud charges in July 2022. Sentencing in January 2023 resulted in a 20-year term for Hess and 15 years for Koch. The appellate decision reinforces legal consequences for exploitative practices in the funeral home industry.
This case underscores the need for rigorous forensic investigation and regulatory compliance audits in funeral services, especially to protect vulnerable populations. It may guide prosecutors and regulators in addressing criminal exploitation in similar contexts.
By the numbers:
- $1.2 million — revenue from illegal body parts sales
- 811 bodies — involved in the scheme
- 42 families — gave informed consent (out of 811)
- 20 years — prison sentence for Megan Hess