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Judge doubtful about teen's request

A Bartlett teen accused of sexually assaulting a classmate in a school restroom wants permission to travel to Indiana this month so he can support his mother while she undergoes cancer surgery.

Kane County Judge Allen Anderson isn't so sure.

"If he can't get from Bartlett to here, I'm not trusting him to go to Indiana," the judge said Thursday.

Jeffrey Duncan-Powell, 18, faces a felony criminal sexual assault charge and a sexual abuse misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident Oct. 25, 2006, at South Elgin High School.

Authorities say he assaulted a 15-year-old girl in a school washroom and witnesses reported the incident to faculty.

The most serious charge carries a prison sentence of four to 15 years.

Anderson said he had concerns with Duncan-Powell's pretrial report and requested a psychologist to be on hand for a hearing Wednesday at which time a decision could be made.

"The report is disturbing. It does not suggest compliance," said Anderson, who did not elaborate.

Duncan-Powell also is requesting to travel to Indiana for two other activities outside of his mother's surgery.

He is currently free on bond.

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