The status of two local police chiefs charged in a scandal surrounding the surrogate mother for actress Sarah Jessica Parker is expected to be learned Monday morning.
Martins Ferry Mayor Phil Wallace told NEWS9 that a pre-disciplinary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday to determine if Chief Barry Carpenter will remain on the job.
Also, Monday night, the Bridgeport City Council will meet to decide the immediate future of Chief Chad Dojack.
The mayors of both towns told NEWS9 they would not comment on the status of each chief until after the respective meetings.
Dojack, Carpenter and a third man all face felony charges.
Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter, Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack and Bruce Callarik -- the son of Bridgeport’s mayor and Dojack's father-in-law -- were arraigned Friday morning after they were served with copies of their grand jury indictments.
Carpenter is charged with six felonies including two counts of burglary, one count of receiving stolen property, one count of theft in office, one count of unauthorized use of telecommunications property and one count of tampering with evidence. He faces a maximum of 21 ½ years in prison if convicted and up to a $45,000 fine. His trial is scheduled for October.
Harrison County Prosecutor Shawn Hervey said Carpenter is accused of breaking into the home of Michelle Ross, the surrogate for the celebrity couple, in an effort to give information to tabloid media.
"The charges in this matter stem from a conspiracy between the defendants to acquire and sell items identifying Michelle Ross as the surrogate for Sarah Jessica Parker to celebrity photographers for monetary gain," Hervey said. "It's further alleged that the Martins Ferry police chief entered the home of Michelle Ross and removed items from the house and, along with Dojack, attempted to sell the items to the photographers."
Hervey said that Carpenter is accused of also using his office to commit the crimes, destroying evidence and illegally using a law enforcement computer system.
Dojack is charged with complicity to commit burglary, a felony punishable by eight years in prison. He was also charged with one count of complicity to receive stolen property. He faces a maximum of 14 ½ years in prison and up to $30,000 fine. His trial is scheduled for Nov. 17.
Both chiefs pleaded not guilty and remain free on their own recognizance.
Callarik is charged with a felony count of complicity to receiving stolen property and also pleaded not guilty. He faces 18 month in prison and a $5,000 fine. He is also free on his own recognizance.
Hervey said Callarik is accused of facilitating the meeting and had knowledge of the stolen items.
Callarik owns the Hillside Motel near Blaine. People there said they saw tabloid photographers at the hotel for several days. One motel employee described Callarik as a good man to work for, a man who would be there if she needed help.
On Wednesday, Hervey, who was acting as a special prosecutor for Belmont County, presented a case to a grand jury involving an incident related to Ross, the surrogate mother for Parker and Broderick. Ross gave birth to twins in Martins Ferry in June.
On her MySpace.com page, Ross, of Martins Ferry, describes herself as a proud parent who is in college. Her occupations are listed as greyhounds, surrogate and student.
Friday, she wrote on her page: "Wonder how those police chiefs and the mayor's son like their metal bracelets? Can't wait 'til they get their new orange pajamas!"
Ross describes herself as independent, strong-willed, ambitious, determined, sensitive and compassionate.
She says she wants to meet interesting people-- believers in truth not fame- and those that can be proud without being jealous. She says she doesn't want to meet "self-centered, judgmental, careless and self-serving fools who don't care how their actions affect those around them."
Carpenter confirmed for NEWS9 several weeks ago that he was under investigation in connection with the case and has maintained his innocence. He is still on the job but Martins Ferry Mayor Phil Wallace said he gave the chief the day off on Thursday and Friday pending a pre-disciplinary hearing on Monday.
Wallace said, "I just want to say this to the citizens of Martins Ferry: that our police department is 100 percent full-time and we know of no shutdown and they will be protected to the fullest."
In addition to serving as the Martins Ferry police chief, Carpenter is also the commander for the South Eastern Allied Response. According to their Web site, Carpenter is a state certified firearms instructor and has instructor status on many different weapons systems. He has been on numerous high-risk missions and is active with both the entry and sniper elements of the team. He is also responsible for training logistics, media relations and administrative details.
Dojack is also off the job. Friday, the Bridgeport mayor said Dojack is suspended pending a city council meeting Monday at 7 p.m. The mayor and Dojack are related by marriage.
The men had voluntarily turned themselves in for "anticipatory processing" Wednesday night. Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson said even though the men were not charged at that time, they were preparing to be indicted.
By being processed at the jail before being charged, the men avoided media attention.
Hervey said he was disappointed that the case involves men sworn in to protect local people. He said it is troubling that a celebrity case of this magnitude is happening here in the Ohio Valley.
"It is extremely troubling that persons sworn to uphold the law and protect the public are now charged with violating those oaths," Hervey said. "It is equally troubling that our society is so celebrity crazed that a market exists and tens of thousands of dollars are exchanged for celebrity scandal."
Hervey said he believes money is the motive behind the alleged crimes.
"Martins Ferry is usually as far away from the bright lights of Hollywood as one can get. Unfortunately the city and this county, Belmont County, are now living in their own Hollywood soap opera," Hervey said.
