A shocking indictment has been handed down in Northern Kentucky, where a power-hungry couple has been accused of harboring aliens for their own financial gain.
Yun Zheng, a.k.a. Wendy, 50, and Yan Qui Wu, a.k.a. Jason, 48, of Alexandria, have been slapped with a five-count indictment, including four counts of concealing, harboring, or shielding a person for commercial and private financial gain, and one count of conspiracy to conceal, harbor, or shield persons for commercial and private financial gain.
According to court documents, the alleged scheme began in November 2014 and continued through November 2017, during which time the couple allegedly harbored four individuals for their own financial benefit. The indictment alleges that the couple intentionally concealed and shielded the aliens from law enforcement, all for their own financial gain.
The investigation, led by the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Alexandria, Kentucky Police Department, has been ongoing for several years. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Winslow and David Marye presented the case to the grand jury, which ultimately returned the indictment.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Jerry Templet, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and Lucas T. Cooper, Chief of the Alexandria Police Department, jointly announced the indictment, citing the severity of the crimes and the potential consequences for the couple.
The indictment carries a maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison, up to $250,000 fine, and restitution for each of the five counts. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court, after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
A date for Zheng and Wu to appear in court has not yet been scheduled, but sources close to the investigation indicate that the couple will face a stiff penalty if convicted. As the case moves forward, one thing is clear: the couple’s alleged actions have left a trail of destruction in their wake, and justice will be served.
Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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