Doctor who sexually assaulted, filmed patients in US gets 24 years' jail

A gastroenterologist who drugged and sexually assaulted personal acquaintances and patients at a hospital in Queens, videotaping many of the attacks, was sentenced on Aug 28 to 24 years in prison.

- Christopher Maag

NEW YORK - A gastroenterologist who drugged and sexually assaulted personal acquaintances and patients at a hospital in Queens, videotaping many of the attacks, was sentenced on Aug 28 to 24 years in prison.

"Zhi Alan Cheng committed a series of heinous acts against women," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement announcing the sentencing.

"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, 34, pleaded guilty in June to four counts of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

He also entered a plea, in which he formally pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse, while maintaining his innocence.