N.Y.C. Doctor Who Sexually Abused Sedated Patients in 'Series of Heinous Acts' Learns Fate By Nicole Acosta

A New York City doctor was sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to rape and sexual abuse against sedated hospital patients and other women, authorities said.

Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, pleaded guilty on June 30 to four counts of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse, according to a press release from the Queens District Attorney’s Office. He also entered an Alford plea to one count of sexual abuse, meaning he maintains his innocence while accepting a conviction.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Cheng “committed a series of heinous acts against women. He did so both as a private citizen, sexually assaulting women who were his intimate partners, and as a doctor, sexually assaulting vulnerable patients who came to the hospital in need of help.”

Cheng, a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens, also filmed the abuse of his unconscious victims in both his apartment and at the hospital, per the release.

He was arrested in December 2022 after an acquaintance discovered videos showing her and other women being assaulted by Cheng, prosecutors said. A search of Cheng’s home uncovered numerous digital media storage devices that contained videos of him sexually abusing unconscious female hospital patients and female acquaintances.

Cheng’s license to practice medicine has been suspended by the state. He was initially charged with over 50 criminal counts related to the sexual abuse, per the release.

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In addition to his prison sentence, he is required to have 10 years of post-release supervision and register as a sex offender.

“It is most important to express gratitude to the brave survivor who came forward initially to report the defendant’s crimes, and the other victims who helped us to make sure no other women were hurt going forward,” D.A. Katz added.