El Paso Standard

A Jacksonville Beach restaurant owner has admitted guilt in a case involving the harboring of illegal aliens for commercial advantage and personal financial gain. The admission follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ping Ping Zheng, 37, from Jacksonville, could face up to 10 years in federal prison. As part of her plea agreement, she will forfeit a residence in Jacksonville and a transit van to the United States. The court has not yet set a date for sentencing.

The plea agreement details that Zheng owned and operated Kamiya 86 Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar in Jacksonville Beach. At this establishment, she employed workers who were unlawfully present in the United States without legal authorization to work. Zheng did not require these employees to provide documentation proving their eligibility to work legally in the country, thus violating federal employment and immigration laws.

Zheng also provided rent-free housing at her residence for these undocumented workers, along with free transportation between the house and the restaurant. Additionally, she offered them free meals during their working hours. Payment was made in cash without withholding taxes or other necessary deductions from their wages.

The investigation into this case was conducted by ICE Jacksonville and the U.S. Border Patrol, with support from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier is prosecuting the case.