A New York City doctor who recorded himself groping sedated patients and sexually assaulting women he met online has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, formerly a gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens, was convicted on four counts of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

In June, Cheng admitted guilt for the serious sex crimes. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped additional predatory sexual assault charges that could have carried a life sentence.

Originally, Cheng faced more than 50 criminal charges linked to the sexual assaults.

Outside the courtroom, Nicholas Liakas, a lawyer for the survivors, criticized the DA’s office, saying the case showed that plea deals are possible even when evidence is strong.

Some survivors of Cheng’s attacks also expressed disappointment over what they called a “light” sentence. One survivor noted that Cheng is still young and could rebuild his life, questioning why victims are not better protected by the justice system.

Cheng will likely be released before turning 60 but must register as a sex offender and will be under 10 years of supervision after prison.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz praised the sentence and thanked the women who bravely reported the attacks.

She emphasized that Cheng committed horrific acts both as a private individual against partners and as a doctor exploiting vulnerable patients, leading to over 20 years in prison plus post-release supervision. K

atz also highlighted the importance of the victims who came forward, helping prevent further harm.

Cheng’s crimes came to light after a girlfriend in late 2022 accused him of knocking her unconscious using a drug-soaked cotton mask in his Astoria apartment.

The woman contacted prosecutors after discovering videos of Cheng sexually assaulting her and other women.

A joint investigation by the DA’s Special Victims Bureau and New York-Presbyterian led to a home search, uncovering multiple disturbing videos. The recordings showed Cheng groping sedated women as young as 19 in the hospital.

Other footage revealed him raping unconscious, apparently drugged women, some of whom he met through online dating platforms.

In total, Cheng admitted to sexually assaulting seven women. He also entered an Alford plea for a separate sexual abuse charge involving an eighth woman, acknowledging guilt without fully admitting responsibility.

Authorities found illegal drugs in his possession, including cocaine, fentanyl, ketamine, LSD, MDMA, and sedatives like propofol and sevoflurane.