2 police chiefs jailed amid allegations of snooping

7/31/2009

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio - Two southeastern Ohio police chiefs suspected of snooping for tabloid fodder at the home of a surrogate mother for actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have been arrested on undisclosed charges.

A special prosecutor has been looking into whether the chiefs illegally entered the woman's home in May, when she wasn't there, but it is unclear if the police chiefs' arrests relate to that investigation.

Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter and Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack were booked Wednesday night and released, Belmont County jail personnel confirm. The jail would not release charges.

There are no residential phone numbers listed for Mr. Carpenter or Mr. Dojack. Martins Ferry police would not comment yesterday and Bridgeport police referred calls to the mayor. Messages were left at Bridgeport Mayor John Callarik's office and at the office of Martins Ferry Mayor Phil Wallace.

The special prosecutor in the case, Harrison County Prosecutor T. Shawn Hervey, was out of town and would not comment or release any information until this morning, said a woman answering the phone at his office. He has said he would take the case to a grand jury if he were to pursue charges.

The Belmont County court clerk's office confirmed that arraignments for the two were scheduled this morning before Common Pleas Judge John Solovan, but Judge Solovan's office would not provide any details.

The surrogate mother gave birth to Parker's and Broderick's twin girls June 22 at an Ohio hospital.

Mr. Hervey had said earlier that allegations against the police chiefs were taken to the sheriff's office. Officials determined that a special prosecutor from outside the county should handle the investigation.