A 68-year-old general practitioner in Encino has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually assaulting two female patients, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today.

Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Karb said Dr. Michael Popkin (dob 12/8/48) was arraigned yesterday on one felony count each of sexual exploitation of patient by physician and sexual battery by restraint and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.

Popkin is scheduled back in court on Feb. 23 in Department 122 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Van Nuys Branch.

The alleged incidents charged in case LA084895 occurred over the course of two years beginning on June 12, 2014, the prosecutor said.

If convicted as charged, Popkin faces a possible maximum sentence of more than four years in state prison,

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, West Valley Division.

Los Angeles County District Attorney / case LA084895 / January 24, 2017