Evergreen Reporter

Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney has announced that Ping Ping Zheng, a 37-year-old resident of Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to harboring undocumented aliens for commercial advantage and personal financial gain. Zheng could face up to 10 years in federal prison. As part of the plea agreement, she will forfeit a residence in Jacksonville and a transit van to the United States. A sentencing date has not been determined.

The plea agreement reveals that Zheng owned and operated Kamiya 86 Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar in Jacksonville Beach. She employed workers who were unlawfully present in the U.S. and not authorized to work legally. Zheng did not require these workers to provide documents verifying their legal right to work.

Additionally, Zheng owned a residence where she provided rent-free housing for the undocumented workers, along with free transportation between the house and restaurant, as well as free meals on working days. The workers were paid in cash without tax or other deductions from their wages.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol, with assistance from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.