Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Scranton has indicted a husband and wife from Centre Hall, Pennsylvania for explosives and firearms offenses.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment charges James Woodring, age 50, and Christina Woodring, age 34, with conspiring to manufacture and deal in explosives from May 1 through 18, 2016, and associated offenses. The indictment also charges James Woodring with being a felon in possession of firearms and with possessing a stolen firearm. James Woodring was arrested on May 20, 2016, and charged by criminal complaint with similar offenses premised on the same conduct. On May 20, 2016, he was brought before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson who ordered that Woodring be held in custody pending an indictment or preliminary hearing.

According to the indictment, and the complaint, 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 also allegedly also possessed the following: a stolen semi-automatic pistol, a shotgun, a pump rifle and a rifle. As a previously convicted felon, Woodring is prohibited from possessing the firearms.

The government is also seeking forfeiture of the firearms.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Enforcement, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Centre Hall Police Department, and the Springettsbury Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo.

Indictments contain only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the most severe charges is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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