'You're the monster among us in society': Levran sentenced to 10-25 years in prison

Former Lake Region Medical Group urologist and hockey trainer, Zvi Levran, 68, was sentenced to 10-25 years in prison, the maximum sentence, on April 29 after pleading no contest to 28 individual counts relating to sex crimes in Oakland County, Michigan, in March.

Levran practiced pediatric and family urology at Lake Region Healthcare between 2011-2018, also assisting Fergus Falls’ high school hockey program as a volunteer trainer.

Upon leaving the Fergus Falls area, Levran began working in a similar capacity in Farmington Hills, Michigan, providing medical examinations from a home office.

On Oct. 18, 2023, following an appointment at Levran’s home office, a 19-year-old man contacted Farmington Hills authorities regarding sexual assault. A plea of not guilty was entered on behalf of Levran; however, the report was simply the beginning of an onslaught of complaints and resulting charges against the man, widely referred to as the hockey doc.

At the time of Levran's arrest, LRH Vice President of Marketing and Communications Katie Johnson, confirmed Levran’s employment, but did not make a statement on additional questions presented.

“Beyond confirmation of his employment dates, Lake Region Medical Group and Lake Region Healthcare do not comment on personnel matters or pending litigation,” Johnson said.

With the information of Levran's arrest released at a local level, parents of former Fergus Falls hockey players immediately began reaching out to Daily Journal Media, expressing outrage, disgust and concern over the situation as a whole, but also the potential mishandling of reports made about Levran during his time in Fergus Falls.

Callers shared with Daily Journal Media that complaints about Levran's behavior were directed to both LRH, Fergus Falls Public Schools and hockey coaching staff and local law enforcement, but nothing ever materialized from their reports.

The aforementioned agencies did not disclose any information regarding the topic, citing lack of knowledge or the privacy of the accused in their responses to Daily Journal Media.

Those contacting newspaper staff with concerns were directed to contact investigators in Michigan, per the direction of Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald.

Over the course of two-plus years, charges were filed on behalf of 13 victims, the majority of whom were youth hockey players at the time of their mistreatment at the hands of Levran.

Testimony was heard in April and July 2023, at which point it was determined that there was enough evidence for Levran to stand trial, as he maintained a plea of not guilty.

“This individual used his position of trust to prey on vulnerable teenagers,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald in a statement in 2023. “I commend the bravery of all those who have come forward, which takes immense strength to do.”

With four separate cases tied to his name, victims of Levran were left in limbo as the cases all went to the court of appeals, where they were tied up for quite some time. The appeals were found unsubstantiated.

In March 2025, Levran pleaded no contest to 11 counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, 10 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts each of child sexually abusive material and activity.

A no-contest plea in Michigan is treated as a conviction at sentencing.

“As I stand here in front of you, and I see the individual victims who were affected either directly or indirectly from my actions, it is very difficult to try and say anything for myself, and I’m not going to,” Levran said in court.

“This was a long time in the making and the best option for Dr. Levran,” his attorney, Jonathan Jones, said in a statement. “I hope this is the beginning of closure for all involved.”

On April 29, Levran stood in front of Judge Yasmine Poles as his sentence was announced.

Poles spared nothing when addressing Levran prior to reading his sentence, calling his behavior sociopathic and stating she believes he sees no wrong-doing in his actions. She suggested a narrative in which Levran hid behind his medical license, preying on the trust of victims and their caregivers to carry out his crimes.

"Every single time you got away with it, you became emboldened to continue to commit these crimes against children and young men," Poles directed to Levran.

Levran received a sentence of 10-15 years on the bulk of the charges, with one charge up to a 25-year sentence, the maximum sentence allowed under state law on almost all charges; however, he will be eligible for parole after 10 years in custody and has received credit for time served.

Poles' final message to Levran prior to reading the sentence contained heated words: "You are now a convicted sex offender and I am going to do everything in my power to make sure you are unable to harm one other person." She continued, adding that it is her belief that Levran will never be rehabilitated. "Personally, if I had the option to do it, I would sentence you to three life sentences. Because that's what you deserve. You are the monster — you are the monster among us in society. ... You walk away from here a predator, a pedophile and a disgrace to the medical profession. That's exactly who you are."