the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Fort Lee NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of HONGWEI ZHENG (DOB: 12/10/1983; married; liquor store cashier) of 4507 Utopia Parkway, Flushing, New York on a money laundering offense. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love.
On March 10, 2022, an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force revealed that HONGWEI ZHENG was transporting bulk shipments of United States currency believed to be derived from criminal activity through Bergen County. During this investigation, a search was conducted on a silver-colored Chevy Suburban in Fort Lee, NJ. The search revealed $158,900.00 in currency concealed in different locations in the vehicle. ZHENG was arrested at the scene of the search.
HONGWEI ZHENG was charged with second-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a. He was released on his own recognizance pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Mark Musella states that the charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Civil asset forfeiture? Guilty whether guilty or innocent? I’m totally against drug dealers who are laundering money but will the defendant have his funds returned if found innocent of laundering charges? Don’t bet on it.