WARREN — A city couple accused of sex crimes against their four young children pleaded not guilty Thursday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, where a judge ordered them held without bond due to the severity of the allegations.

Justin Mayfield, 37, and Shawna Mayfield, 28, entered not guilty pleas at their arraignment Thursday. Judge Sean O’Brien ordered both held without bond, citing the grave allegations and Justin Mayfield’s criminal history. Their next pretrial hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday before Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice.

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman described the case as one of the most egregious he has seen. Wildman cited a “mountain of evidence,” including statements from three of the couple’s children, ages 4 to 10, and text messages where the couple allegedly boasted about abusing their children “since they were in diapers.”

Wildman detailed videos allegedly showing Shawna Mayfield engaging in sexual intercourse with a 4-year-old child and both parents forcing a 10-year-old to perform sexual acts. He also revealed messages where the couple bragged about trading child abuse videos, describing their actions as part of a “huge trading challenge” for pedophiles.

“This would be hard to imagine a case with more evidence,” Wildman told the court, noting that both defendants were complicit in the abuse, with several counts carrying mandatory life sentences without parole.

He highlighted Justin Mayfield’s prior criminal history, including violent offenses, while noting Shawna Mayfield has no previous record.

The couple, which lives on Waverly Avenue NE, was indicted by a special grand jury Sept. 4, following a tip from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on July 28.

Justin Mayfield faces seven counts of rape, first-degree felonies with sexually violent predator specifications; one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth-degree felony; and four counts of endangering children, a second-degree felonies.

Shawna Mayfield is charged with 10 counts of rape, first-degree felonies with predator specifications; eight counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, second-degree felonies; two counts of gross sexual imposition, third-degree felonies; one count of sexual conduct with an animal, a second-degree misdemeanor; and four counts of endangering children, third-degree felonies.

The allegations involve repeated abuse of their children, ages 3 to 7 at the time, captured in graphic videos. Authorities also reported Shawna Mayfield’s inappropriate conduct with the family dog. A search of their home Aug. 13 uncovered large quantities of marijuana in the kitchen, dining room and a lunchbox, as well as an illegal marijuana-growing operation in the basement, contributing to the child endangerment charges.

Shawna Mayfield has been in Trumbull County jail since her arrest Aug. 13, initially on a $1 million bond after missing a hearing.

Justin Mayfield was arrested Sept. 5. The court prohibited both from contacting their children, who are now in the care of Justin Mayfield’s mother.