Local physician faces sentencing for sex crimes against young athletes

OAKLAND COUNTY — A local physician who provided medical assistance to youth hockey teams recently pleaded no contest to 28 counts, including for charges of criminal sexual conduct and sexual abuse.

He awaits sentencing April 29 in Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac.

The majority of the charges facing Zvi Levran, 68, of Farmington, stem from incidents of allegedly sexually abusing teenage boys, many of whom he reportedly met while providing medical assistance to youth hockey teams, according to a press release issued by Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.

The plea was entered in March. The charges against Levran, who had a urology practice in West Bloomfield, include 11 counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth-degree, 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third-degree, three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second-degree, two counts of child sexually abusive material, and two counts of child sexually abusive activity over several years.   

According to McDonald, the ruling holds Levran accountable for his crimes and provides justice for his victims.

“The victims were heard, and their stories were believed. Zvi Levran is guilty,”  McDonald stated via the release.

Each count of criminal sexual assault in the third-degree is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, according to the prosecutor. She intends to ask the court for a maximum sentence, according to the release.

McDonald shared what Levran’s plea means.

“Levran’s victims will not be re-traumatized by the burden of testifying at trial. It also spares them any further uncertainty about the outcome of this case,” McDonald stated via the release.

According to court records, Levran was booked in November 2022 and remains in the Oakland County Jail.

“The case has gone on for a long time. This was an important step to bringing it to resolution,” said Levran’s attorney, Jonathan Jones. “We expect that many of the complainant witnesses will speak at sentencing, as is their right. There is a lot to do to prepare for that and we look forward to that day.”