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Ex-embalmer’s apprentice pleads no contest to criminal charges

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Halley-Olsen-Murphy Funeral Home (46487)
Halley-Olsen-Murphy Funeral Home

LANCASTER, Calif. — A former apprentice embalmer pleaded no contest today to seven felony counts, including one count of removing or possessing dental gold from human remains.

Peter Jacob Lara, 39, also pleaded no contest to one count of possession of methamphetamine and five counts of commercial burglary.

Superior Court Judge Christopher Estes immediately sentenced Lara to seven years behind bars and ordered him to pay $3,000 in restitution to the Wounded Warrior Project, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Lara is a former employee of Halley-Olsen-Murphy Funeral Home, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Lara, arrested last month by sheriff’s deputies in connection with more than two-dozen criminal charges, was accused of taking gold crowns and other items, including a cremation urn box and medallions used to decorate urn boxes, and pawning them, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

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