Crime & Safety
Third Sex Assault Suspect Denies Charges
Three men face a minimum of 18 years in prison if convicted of all counts.
The last of three men charged with sexually assaulting a teen girl inside a Wheaton apartment last year has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts.
During a brief hearing Tuesday morning before Judge Ronald Kleeman, 21-year-old Gyan Magar denied charges he had sex with the girl against her will or was involved when two codefendants also had sex with her.
Chet Magar, who also appeared in court Tuesday, and Dambar Pithakotey, are also charged unlawful restraint and multiple counts of criminal sexual assault. Each man faces a minimum of 18 years in prison if convicted on all charges. They are not eligible for probation on any of the sex assault counts.
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Speaking through a Nepalese interpreter, Gyan Magar initially said he did not understand the charges contained in the seven-count indictment issued last month. That prompted Kleeman to describe generally what sex acts are alleged to have been committed during the incident.
Gyan Magar remains in DuPage County Jail on $2 million bail. Chet Magar’s bail now stands at $750,000 after a judge reduced it from $1 million last month. He had asked for a lower bail because he is a new father and provides financial support to his family. Both Magars have hearings scheduled for early May.
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Pithakotey, 29, is held on $1 million bail with an April 30 court date scheduled.
Prosecutors turned over several DVDs and pages of documents to attorneys for the Magars. Assistant State’s Attorney Anne Therieau also asked Kleeman to order the men to be kept separate from each other if they are ever scheduled for court on the same date. Kleeman agreed to the request.