Ex-hockey coach pleads guilty to sexual assault
A hockey coach who fled to Israel after he was accused of molesting three boys that he coached at Wayne Gretzky’s Roller Hockey Center in Irvine has pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges, prosecutors said Thursday.
Michael Leon Zeve, 32, of Irvine pleaded guilty this month to four counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 with a sentencing enhancement allegation for sexually assaulting multiple victims, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office. He faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced today.
Two brothers, ages 11 and 13, were molested between 1996 and 1998, prosecutors said.
A third boy, 11, was molested between 1998 and 2000, officials said.
Charges were filed in November 2000 after the boys came forward.
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