A defendant in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl was sentenced on Wednesday to about eight years in prison.

Mitchell T. Yang, 23, of St. Paul, pleaded guilty in July to kidnapping and committing a crime for the benefit of a gang.

Authorities say that nine suspects, including four juveniles, plied the girl with alcohol last November, drove her to a vacant house in St. Paul, forced her inside and sexually assaulted her.

The suspects are from St. Paul and members or associates of the True Blood 22 street gang, police have said.

Yang was the last of four suspects who pleaded guilty to be sentenced in Ramsey County District Court.

He apologized in court for his actions.

"This was a horrific act you were involved in," said Judge Gregg Johnson.

Yang also must register as a predatory offender for 10 years. Two of his co-defendants who were sentenced last week to eight years in prison, Xou Yang, 17, and Shaileng Shong Lor, 17, have to register for the rest of their lives because they pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit criminal sexual conduct.

The fourth defendant who pleaded guilty was 15 at the time of the crime. He has been sentenced in juvenile court; the details are not public because of his age.

Of the remaining suspects, four have trials scheduled for later this year. Another is appealing his certification as an adult.

CHAO XIONG