Vietnamese comedian touring U.S. charged with sexually assaulting boy

A well-known Vietnamese comedian, known as “Minh Beo,” has been charged with sexually assaulting a boy while visiting Huntington Beach during his U.S. tour, prosecutors said.

Minh Quang Hong, who was charged Friday, faces two felony counts of sex-related offense involving a minor and one felony count of meeting with a minor with the intent to engage in lewd conduct, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office. He is scheduled to appear in court April 15 to be arraigned.

Hong remains in custody on $1 million bail, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department jail records.

Prosecutors believe Hong may have assaulted more than one victim while touring the U.S. They are looking for additional victims.

Hong, 38, visited cities in Orange County and stopped in Atlanta during his U.S. tour that began March 18.

“Hong is a well-known Vietnamese entertainer with access to children,” prosecutors said.

During his trip, Hong stopped in Huntington Beach on March 20 for a talent show at a radio station, prosecutors said. He spoke to a group of dancers and told them he was auditioning for a video project.

Three days later, the victim arrived for the audition, during which Hong sexually assaulted him, according to prosecutors.

The boy later reported the assault to the Garden Grove Police Department, which began investigating Hong.

The following day, an undercover Garden Grove police officer posed as a minor and contacted Hong to set up a meeting for sexual purposes, prosecutors said. Hong was ultimately arrested.

Hong’s manager told the Vietnamese newspaper Thanh Nien that the comedian might have been drugged and that his family planned to hire an attorney. Hong has family who live in the U.S., the newspaper reported.

If Hong is convicted, he faces up to five years and eight months in state prison.

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.

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