Federal grand jury indicts man also charged in Centre County child sex abuse case
A federal grand jury indicted a man Thursday on a sexual exploitation of children charge, an allegation that comes about seven months after he and three others were charged in a long-running Centre County child sexual abuse case.
Morris W. Reese, 65, of Blair County, was indicted on a count of conspiracy to produce child pornography. Defense attorney Mark Zearfaus told the Centre Daily Times the indictment was expected for the past couple weeks.
None of the other three men — Samuel C. Friday, 68, of Taylor Township; Michael H. Woomer, 66, of Taylor Township; and James Kobuck, 61, of Blair County — have been indicted. All but Kobuck remain incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
A spokesperson for federal prosecutors did not immediately answer whether they plan to seek indictments against Friday, Woomer or Kobuck. Centre County First Assistant District Attorney Joshua Andrews said the local prosecution of Reese will continue.
What’s alleged to have happened in Centre County?
All four men are accused of sexually abusing teenage girls — most from neighboring Blair County — in the basement of Friday’s home near the county line. Investigators believe the alleged misconduct dates back to the 1990s.
Andrews previously described the basement as a “sex studio” fitted with a bed, provocative outfits, a wall-mounted camera and sex toys.
State police at Rockview said in affidavits of probable cause that the men recorded many of the alleged crimes. A trooper testified in February that investigators were combing through 1 1/2 terabytes of photo and video evidence, including VHS tapes.
Andrews said Thursday that all digital and analog evidence found in the home has been reviewed and that the investigation is ongoing.
Two teenage girls testified they were paid for sexual acts. Hoping to make money doing farm work when she was 14 years old and homeless, one of them testified it escalated to paid sexual activities on a weekly basis for several years.
A 17-year-old testified she was peer pressured into going to Friday’s home, where she said she was also paid for sexual acts.
Centre County prosecutors have held Friday out as the leader of the group. During an interview after his November arrest, police said he admitted to taking nude photographs of an underage teen and that he had some “sexual involvement” with her.
Reese and Woomer put forward defenses that intimated they did not know how old the girls were or that the acts were not forced.
Friday and Kobuck are next due in court July 13, while Woomer’s next hearing is set for July 17. Combined, they are facing 58 felonies that include counts related to human trafficking.
Reese’s initial appearance in federal court is scheduled for Monday.
This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 4:31 PM.