New York Doctor Sentenced to 24 Years for Raping and Filming Patients

Gastroenterologist Zhi Alan Cheng, a former physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Medical Center, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for drugging, raping, and filming multiple victims — including his own patients. Authorities also discovered large quantities of illegal drugs in his apartment.

According to The New York Times (Aug. 29), Cheng, 34, pleaded guilty in June to four counts of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Prosecutors revealed he preyed on both acquaintances and vulnerable patients under his medical care.

“The defendant committed a series of monstrous acts against women,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “He exploited his position not only as a citizen targeting acquaintances, but also as a doctor assaulting vulnerable patients who came to him for help.”

Disturbing Evidence Emerges

The case began in late 2022 when a woman discovered disturbing videos of herself and others being assaulted and alerted police. Cheng was arrested in December 2022.

A search of his apartment uncovered digital storage devices containing dozens of recordings showing him assaulting unconscious women. Investigators also found LSD, ketamine, fentanyl, and surgical-grade anesthetics.

In one instance, Cheng raped a woman he met on a dating app, filming the assault with a small brown vial — later identified as a powerful sedative — visible in the footage. Prosecutors confirmed the same type of vial was seized from his home.

Victims Among His Patients

Cheng also targeted patients at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. In 2021, he filmed himself molesting a 37-year-old unconscious patient. In another case, a 19-year-old woman reported that Cheng performed an unnecessary rectal exam, injected an unknown substance into her IV, and then sexually assaulted her.

Cheng was fired and stripped of his medical license in December 2022. He was later indicted on more than 50 charges, including rape, sexual abuse, assault, unlawful drug possession, and illegal video recording.

Sentence and Aftermath

Following his 24-year prison term, Cheng will face 10 years of supervised release and will remain on the sex offender registry.