A GARDEN GROVE man was sentenced to 18 months in state prison Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual offenses.

A popular Vietnamese entertainer pleaded was sentenced Friday to 18 months in state prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender. Minh Quang Hong, 38, of Garden Grove – who goes by the name Minh Beo – had pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse in August. He entered his plea on one felony count of oral copulation of a minor and one felony count of attempting to commit a lewd act upon a child under 14, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

MING HONG (GGPD photo).

The sentencing took place at West Justice Center in Westminster. Authorities say Hong on March 20 told a group of dancers at a talent show at a radio station in Huntington Beach that he was hosting auditions for a video project.

On March 23, he allegedly orally copulated the victim when the youth showed up for the “audition.” The boy then notified the Garden Grove police, who in turn set up a “sting” operation. An officer posed as a minor, and Hong allegedly sought to set up a meeting “with the intent of committing sexual assault.”