Accused Bartlett teen allowed to cross state line

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

Kane County Judge Allen Anderson Wednesday told 18-year-old Jeffrey Duncan-Powell bond could be revoked if he fails to report to his probation officer again.

"Consider yourself warned," the judge said.

Duncan-Powell is accused of forcing a 15-year-old girl to perform a sex act on Oct. 25, 2006. He's pleaded not guilty to felony criminal sexual assault and a sexual abuse misdemeanor charge.

If convicted, he faces four to 15 years in prison. He currently is free on bond.

Duncan-Powell's attorneys said he had regularly checked in with court officials while awaiting trial.

But in the past two months, getting transportation to the Kane County Judicial Center has been difficult because he lives with his grandmother and they only have one car. He's phoned court officials but not appeared in person.

"I think Jeff's problem is he sometimes doesn't understand the seriousness of a court order," said Marty Offutt-Gruber, a county probation officer. "He's been allowed to (travel) before and he's always returned."

Last year Judge Timothy Sheldon allowed Duncan-Powell to go to Indiana on Christmas, court records show.

Elgin School District U-46 spokesman Tony Sanders would not comment on whether disciplinary action has been taken against Duncan-Powell.