Astoria, Queens doctor rape case: Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng pleads guilty to drugging and sexually assaulting patients in New York
Share this @internewscast.com

QUEENS — A 35-year-old gastroenterologist, Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, confessed to numerous charges involving rape and sexual abuse, targeting both acquaintances and female patients at the hospital. This was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Monday.

Living in Astoria, Cheng initially faced a 50-count indictment in August 2023 for his criminal acts. More charges followed in March 2024 after another victim from the hospital came forward with allegations.

He acknowledged that he recorded the assaults on victims while they were unconscious, both in his apartment and at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens hospital, occurring between 2020 and 2022. Cheng pleaded guilty to seven charges associated with rape and sexual abuse, and agreed to an Alford plea for an additional count of sexual abuse.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit Durant is expected to sentence him to 24 years in prison on Aug. 28.

“The level of violence and perversion displayed by Zhi Alan Cheng in sexually abusing multiple victims is compounded by the fact that he took an oath to do no harm as a medical professional,” Katz said. “I thank the brave victim who initially came forward and exposed this abuse. We hope the guilty plea allows all the victims to continue to heal.”

Cheng has been held without bail since his 2022 arrest.

His ability to practice medicine has been suspended by the state.

Cheng was arrested on Dec. 27, 2022, after a female aquaintance who was raped in his apartment, known as “Apartment Victim 1,” discovered videos depicting her and other women being assaulted by the doctor.

A search warrant led to the discovery of numerous digital media storage devices that contained videos of him sexually abusing unconscious female hospital patients, as well as Cheng’s female acquaintances. Authorities also seized a slew of drugs, including fentanyl, ketamine, cocaine, LSD and MDMA, as well as medical sedation drugs such as propofol and sevoflurane.

“The recovered evidence compiled paints the picture of a sexual predator of the absolute worst kind, a serial rapist, someone willing to not only violate his sacred professional oath and patients’ trust, but every standard of human decency, as well,” Katz said.

Copyright © 2025 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago Pizza Pass deal launches with 25 restaurants, including Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, Pizano's participating

“Chicago Pizza Pass Debuts with 25 Restaurants, Featuring Favorites Like Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, and Pizano’s”

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Pizza Pass deal is now off and…
Small plane goes down at New Jersey airport in 'mass casualty' emergency

Small Aircraft Crash at New Jersey Airport Results in ‘Mass Casualty’ Situation

A skydiving airplane crashed Wednesday after it went off the end of…
Port Authority Bus Terminal entrance in New York City.

Port Authority Bus Accident Injures 12; Driver Freed from Wreckage, Terminal Closure Causes Delays

AT least 12 people have been hurt in a massive multi-bus crash…
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Javier Baez both make All-Star Game

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Javier Baez Selected for All-Star Game

First, they were traded for each other. Now, they’ll be on opposite…
DOJ indicts suspect who went viral for delivering protective gear to anti-ICE protesters on live TV

DOJ Charges Viral Figure for Supplying Protective Gear to Protesters Opposing ICE on Live TV

A man who gained viral attention after being seen on live television…
Florida teen threatens to shoot up McDonald's after $5 order is messed up: police

Florida Teenager Allegedly Threatens McDonald’s with Gun over Incorrect $5 Order: Police Report

A teenager in Florida is in custody after allegedly threatening to open…
Kanye West's Australia visa scrapped over ‘Heil Hitler’ song release

Kanye West’s Australian Visa Denied Due to Controversial ‘Heil Hitler’ Song

Kanye West was recently stripped of an Australian visa after he released…
Rep. Angie Nixon on new ICE facility at Camp Blanding

Congresswoman Angie Nixon Discusses New ICE Facility at Camp Blanding

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces that construction of a new ICE detention facility…
Federal government plans to air-drop sterile flies over Texas to fight flesh-eating maggots

Federal Government to Deploy Sterile Flies in Texas to Combat Flesh-Eating Maggots

The U.S. government is set to release millions of flies across Mexico…
Florida bomb squad demonstrates damage fireworks can inflict using watermelon

Florida Bomb Squad Uses Watermelon to Show Potential Fireworks Damage

A Florida police bomb squad used explosives on various household items to…
He pioneered the cellphone. It changed how people around the world talk to each other — and don’t

He Revolutionized Communication: How the Cellphone Transformed Global Interaction

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Dick Tracy got an atom-powered two-way wrist…
Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ series 'Ironheart' highlights importance of representation for girls of color in STEM fields

Disney+ series ‘Ironheart’ from the Marvel Cinematic Universe emphasizes the significance of representation for girls of color in STEM fields

CHICAGO (WLS) — Marvel is putting Chicago on the map. The Griffin…