LaFayette, Ga. ? A former crematory operator pleaded guilty Friday to dumping more than 330 corpses on his property and giving the relatives of the dead cement dust instead of ashes.

Under a deal with prosecutors, Ray Brent Marsh could get up to 12 years in prison.

Leatha Shropshires holds a sign with a photo of her mother, Helen McKin, who was to have been cremated at the Tri State Crematory, after a hearing for former Tri State operator Ray Brent Marsh in Lafayette, Ga. Marsh pleaded guilty to dumping 334 bodies and giving the families of the deceased cement dust instead of ashes. Marsh entered the pleas to 787 counts against him, including theft, abuse of a corpse, burial service fraud and making false statements.

Authorities set aside half the courtroom for the victims’ relatives, who were horrified to find out two years ago that Marsh let 334 bodies pile up on his property — behind his house, in the woods, in buildings and crammed into burial vaults.

“He has a sentence of 12 years,” said Teri Crawford, whose brother was supposed to have been cremated in 2001 after dying of cancer. “I will be tormented for the rest of my life wondering what happened to my brother.”

Marsh, 31, apologized to the families as he pleaded guilty to 787 counts, including theft, abuse of a corpse, burial service fraud and making false statements.

He told the family members that he could not explain what motivated him to discard their loved ones’ corpses. “To those of you I have hurt, I apologize,” he said.

Security at the hearing was tight as police officers in plainclothes surrounded Marsh, who has received numerous death threats since he was charged.

A sentencing hearing was set for Jan. 31.