A doctor from Queens has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including rape and sexual abuse, after admitting to assaulting several women, one of whom was unconscious. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, appeared in court after spending time in prison without bail since his 2022 arrest.
Cheng confessed to sexually assaulting seven victims and took an Alford plea on another related charge, which means he maintains his innocence but acknowledges the evidence against him. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz expressed outrage, noting that Cheng’s actions were particularly egregious given his medical profession and duty to do no harm.
Cheng was employed as a gastroenterologist at New York Presbyterian Queens until late 2022, when it was reported that he drugged a woman with a surgical mask soaked in substances. In a surprising twist, one of the victims found footage of her assault among other recorded crimes and reached out to authorities.
A collaborative investigation led by the Queens District Attorney’s Special Victims Office and New York Presbyterian resulted in a search of Cheng’s residence, uncovering disturbing videos of his assaults. Evidence also indicated that he was looking into sedatives for a young patient at the hospital.
In addition to the horrifying footage, authorities found various illegal drugs, including cocaine, fentanyl, ketamine, and MDMA, along with sedatives like propofol. Cheng has been held without bail, and his medical license has been suspended. He faces a potential 24-year sentence, with sentencing scheduled for August 28th.
