Jacksonville restauranter pleads guilty to harboring illegal aliens

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville Beach sushi restauranter has pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation.

Ping Ping Zheng, 37, of Jacksonville, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. As part of the plea agreement, Zheng has agreed to forfeit to the United States a residence in Jacksonville and a transit van. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

According to the plea agreement, Zheng owned and operated the Kamiya 86 Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar located in Jacksonville Beach. At the restaurant, she employed workers who were unlawfully present in the United States and who were not legally authorized to work in the country. Zheng violated federal employment and federal immigration laws by not requiring the workers to provide employment documentation indicating they could legally work in the United States.

Zheng also owned a residence at which she provided rent-free housing to the undocumented aliens, provided them with free transportation between the house and the restaurant, and with free food when working. Zheng paid the workers in cash and did not withhold taxes and other payments from the worker’s wages.

This case was investigated by ICE Jacksonville and the U.S. Border Patrol, with assistance from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)