Centre Hall Couple Indicted by Feds

The husband and wife whose Centre Hall home was the site of explosion were both indicted by a grand jury on May 24 on federal charges for explosives and firearms offenses.

According to the Department of Justice, James Woodring, 50, and his wife, Christina Woodring, 34, conspired to manufacture and deal in explosives from May 1 through May 18.

Their home on South Pennsylvania Avenue exploded on May 18.

Officials also said the post-blast investigation revealed the cause of the explosion was due to the detonation of fireworks.

According to a press release from the Department of Justice, the Woodrings “conspired to purchase and transport commercial grade fireworks, to increase the fireworks’ power and volatility and sell them, all without a license to do so.”

James Woodring was arrested and charged on May 20 on similar offenses, including manufacturing and dealing explosives without a license, transporting explosive materials and illegally possessing a stolen firearm.

The Department of Justice alleges that James Woodring possessed a stolen semi-automatic pistol, a shotgun, a pump rifle and a rifle. According to the press release, since Woodring is a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing them.

The government is seeking forfeiture of the firearms.