Police Say Man Operated Meth Lab in Downtown Bellefonte

A Pleasant Gap man was charged on Thursday for allegedly operating a methamphetamine lab out of a downtown Bellefonte apartment.

Patrick J. Woodring, 31, was on parole for a 2018 guilty plea of operating a meth lab and related charges when Bellefonte police allegedly discovered in July he was manufacturing meth from an apartment in the Crider Exchange Building, 113 N. Allegheny St.

According to a criminal complaint, Bellefonte Police Chief Shawn Weaver received an anonymous tip that Woodring and Kristen L. Hockenberry, 35, who was on probation for a retail theft charge, were making meth and selling it from the apartment. Centre County probation and Bellefonte police officers went to the apartment on July 11 and when no one answered a probation officer called Hockenberry, who said she was at work although she could be heard talking inside the apartment.

When Hockenberry allowed officers inside, they allegedly found a bathroom ceiling tile was pushed up and concealed above it was what was later confirmed by the state police clandestine lab to be methamphetamine and materials used for the ‘one-pot’ method of manufacturing meth, according to the complaint. Police allegedly seized 1,313 grams of solids and liquids containing methamphetamine along with the manufacturing materials.

After the materials were discovered state police responded to the scene for processing and safety. A code officer told police that the 120-year-old Crider Building, which houses five businesses and 22 occupied apartments, is made of combustible material and has no sprinkler system. A fire, he said, would likely destroy the building and put nearby buildings in danger.

Woodring allegedly told police he didn’t know anything about the materials or how to make meth, even though he was on parole for operating a meth lab.

Police found that state parole had an active warrant for Woodring. He was taken into custody on July 11 and has since been held at SCI-Rockview. Hockenberry is being held at the Centre County Correctional Facility.

Police said Hockenberry admitted to using meth but denied knowing how to make it. A urine test confirmed methamphetamine and amphetamine in her system, according to the complaint. She later allegedly told police in an interview that she bought items for Woodring to manufacture meth.

Woodring was charged on Thursday with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver, possessing a precursor substance with intent to unlawfully manufacture, operating a methamphetamine lab and storing chemical waste, as well as misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, knowingly possessing ephedrine and recklessly endangering another person.

His preliminary arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 4. 

Hockenberry was charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and knowingly possessing ephedrine. Her preliminary arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.