ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio -- Two celebrity photographers testified that a local police chief offered to sell them documents and other items in connection with a celebrity surrogate scandal.

Justin Steffman, a freelance photographer from New York, testified first on Tuesday in the trial of Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter.

Carpenter is charged in connection with a conspiracy to take items from a woman who acted as a surrogate mother for the twins of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. He is accused of trying to sell items stolen from the surrogate's Martins Ferry home and faces 21 1/2 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

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Images: Barry Carpenter Trial

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Steffman testified that he came to the Ohio Valley after he saw a published photo of the surrogate, Michelle Ross, and was seeking her address.

He said Bruce Callarik, a local motel owner, put him in touch with Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack. In turn, Dojack set up a meeting between the two chiefs and the two photographers. The meeting allegedly took place in the Bridgeport Post Office parking lot.

Steffman said he told the chiefs he wanted to obtain a photograph of the pregnant surrogate. Steffman said Dojack would sell him the surrogate's address and contact information for $1,000.

Steffman further testified that Carpenter told him he had access to a plaster cast of the surrogate's pregnant stomach, then pulled out a cell phone and showed him a photo of the cast. He said Carpenter told him he had access to a stack of documents including ultrasound photos and a legal agreement between the surrogate and an actress.

During testimony, the photographer described Carpenter as arrogant and aggressive, and said Carpenter "acted like a bully." He said he did not think Carpenter was joking at any time. Steffman testified he told Carpenter he wasn't interested in the items and Carpenter left midconversation.

Steffman said he was afraid of Carpenter, and said when he returned to New York, he contacted the surrogate, Ross, via her MySpace page. He then told Ross about the alleged conversations through e-mail messages and phone calls.

Carpenter didn’t show much emotion during Steffman's testimony, but the chief shook his head in disagreement a few times.

During cross-examination, the defense worked to drive home different points: that Steffman never actually saw the items, that Carpenter never mentioned any specific sum of money, and that Carpenter told Steffman the surrogate wasn't even in town.

Also, the defense said, during a police interview Steffman said Carpenter joked "they would sell the items themselves."

A second celebrity photographer, Cassandra Curd, also took the stand Tuesday and said she was also there for the meeting.

"I just thought it was shocking and ridiculous, and we didn't even want that stuff to begin with," Curd said.

When asked if she thought Carpenter broke into Ross' home, Curd said, "Yes. … I think it's terrible. I think he should be ashamed of himself and he should go to jail to prison or whatever."

Later, a forensic specialist testified that Carpenter conducted an Internet search for Sarah Jessica Parker's surrogate on May 8, and determined that he visited the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway Web site.

The Web site is supposed to be used solely by law enforcement officials for investigations.

Another expert from Bureau of Criminal Investigations testified that Carpenter searched "Ross, Female, White, Belmont County" using the OLEG Web site and accessed Ross' personal information.

A Belmont County sheriff deputy testified there was signs of a forced entry at Ross' home. The deputy said that Ross that Ross' bathroom cabinet were opened, personal files with regard to the surrogacy were missing, boxes of personal photographs and other items were disheveled and the belly cast which was in her bedroom was at the bottom of the basement stairs.

NEWS9 has learned that the jurors will hear from Carpenter and Ross. The surrogate who will likely testify on Thursday.

The prosecution may also call to the stand a list of witnesses that could include Belmont County Prosecutor Chris Berhalter. Other potential witnesses could include several police officers, including Chip Ghent, Patrolman George Shreve and Beth Scales. Ross's neighbor is also expected to take the stand Tuesday.

Dojack was also charged in connection with the alleged theft and will be tried separately on Jan. 12. Dojack stepped aside as Bridgeport chief while he deals with the charges. He is accused of conspiring to break into the home in order to take items that could be sold to the tabloid publications.

Charges were previously dismissed against Callarik, who owns the motel where the celebrity photographers were reportedly staying. Callarik is the son of the Bridgeport mayor and also Dojack's father-in-law. He faced the least severe charge: one count of receiving stolen property. The prosecutor said it would be better to use Callarik as a witness so he can cooperate fully and openly with the ongoing investigation.

NEWS9's Allison Latos is in the courtroom will report on the latest developments as the trial moves forward.