Minh Beo pleads guilty to pedophilia, sentenced to 18 months in prison in the US

The comedian pleaded guilty in Orange County Superior Court to two charges: child molestation and attempted lewd act with a child under 14 years old.

On the afternoon of August 10 (California time, USA), the sixth trial of Minh Beo, accused of child molestation, took place at the Orange County Superior Court, Westminster branch, California. To date, the comedian has been detained for more than four months at Theo Lacy Prison, Orange County.

After 3:00 p.m. (California time), Minh Beo appeared in the suspect's orange shirt, standing behind the iron cage.At the trial that lasted about 15 minutes, Minh Beo admittedThe crime of sexual abuse of a minor and the crime of attempting to have sexual acts with a child under 14 years old. These are two of the three crimes this actorbagThe Orange County District Attorney's Office previously prosecuted.

Mr. Dung Taylor (event organizer in the US) and Ms. Ngoc Lan (A reporter for an overseas Vietnamese newspaper said the trial was quick.Judge Derek G. Johnson read Minh Beo's charges one by one. With the help of an interpreter, the actor admitted "guilty". Japanese-American lawyer Mia Yamamoto stood by his side to help the interpreter convey the court's words to the actor.

The court recommended Minh Beo's sentence of 18 months in prison. The verdict will be announced on December 16.According to a press release from the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Minh Beo was placed on the US sex offender registry for life.

Attorney Mia Yamamoto defends actor Minh Beo in court.

According to Ms. Ngoc Lan, in the loose prison uniform, Minh Beo is much thinner than before, with dark circles under his eyes.The judge allowed the audience to film and take pictures, but Minh Beo protested against this. His protest was rejected by the court. Disagreeing, the actor crouched down behind the cage to avoid being seen.

Before the hearing on August 10, many experienced lawyers in the US as well as those who have followed the Minh Beo case from the beginning predicted that this would be the comedian's confession hearing. Mr. Thien Thanh - the actor's cousin - shared the same prediction. Because at the hearing on July 28, he noticed that lawyer Mia Yammamoto negotiated for a long time and had a rather humble attitude towards the prosecutor.

Scene of actor Minh Beo's guilty plea hearing in the US on the afternoon of August 10.

Actor Minh Beo has been on tour in the US since March 18 in California. According to the Orange County prosecutor, on March 20, the actor approached a group of dancers participating in a radio talent show in Huntington Beach. He was accused ofsexual abusea boy during a working session on March 23. The boy's family reported the incident to the police and authorities quickly investigated and arrested the actor.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said Minh Beo was charged with three counts: oral sex with a minor, lewd acts with a child under 14, and solicitation of a child for lewd acts. The actor’s bail was set at $1 million.

There is no mutual legal assistance agreement between Vietnam and the US, so in principle, criminals will be tried according to the law of the place where they commit crimes. In Minh Beo's case, he will be tried in the US.

According to VNE