My real concern here is that Truong has played in three tournaments in
a row in which he has played much lower rated opponents, inching up
one point each time.

http://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlMain.php?12123950

There is nothing wrong with this, except he might be trying to confirm
his rating or make it appear that he is more active than he really is.
These were the same tactics used by Robert Tanner.

Sam Sloan