TRUMBULL COUNTY Warren couple secretly indicted

The husband pleaded innocent to the charges, and the wife is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A husband faces four counts of rape, and his wife faces four counts of permitting child abuse and a count of child endangering after a secret indictment by the Trumbull County grand jury.
The grand jury indicted Mark W. Stewart, 45, and his wife, Juana, 44, of Williamsburg Street last week. The two voluntarily surrendered to authorities Monday, court officials said.
Pleads innocent: Stewart entered innocent pleas Monday in the common pleas courtroom of Judge Peter Kontos, who set Stewart's pretrial hearing for 9 a.m. Monday. Stewart is free on a $50,000 bond.
Possible penalties: If convicted, Stewart could face life in prison on two of the charges because the victim was under 13 when two of the alleged rapes occurred. The victim is now 14, court records state.
Stewart could face up to 10 years in prison on each of the other two counts, officials said.
Stewart could not be reached to comment. Atty. Jeff Goodman, who represents Stewart, declined to comment.
Arraignment set: Sarah Kovoor, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said Mrs. Stewart, who remains free, is to be arraigned Thursday in the courtroom of Judge John Stuard. If convicted, Mrs. Stewart faces up to five years in prison on each charge, Kovoor said.
During her arraignment, Mrs. Stewart will enter a plea and a bond will be set, court officials said.
Neither Mrs. Stewart nor her attorney, Thomas Wright, could be reached.
sinkovich@vindy.com