FL Actor Playing Judas In ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Joined Oath Keepers To Storm Capitol

ORLANDO, FL — A Broadway actor from Florida playing Judas in the national tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar” faces charges after joining the Oath Keepers to storm the U.S. Capitol building Jan. 6.

According to court documents, James Beeks, 49, an Orlando resident who goes by his stage name “James T. Justis,” is also a Michael Jackson impersonator.

Beeks was arrested Tuesday in Milwaukee on multiple charges related to breaching the Capitol as part of a pro-Donald Trump mob protesting President Joe Biden's win over Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

He has been charged with obstruction of justice, a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds, according to a Department of Justice news release.

According to the “Jesus Christ Superstar” website, the show had performances scheduled at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee Tuesday through Sunday this week.

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The DOJ said Beeks joined the Oath Keepers for the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. The group is a far-right, anti-government militia organization composed of former law enforcement and military members.

Court documents said that around 2:30 p.m. that day, a group of Oath Keeper members and affiliates marched into the Capitol grounds and then up the east steps of the building to the area outside of the Rotunda doors.

Beeks was part of a mob of people, including some who attacked law enforcement, the DOJ said. At 2:38 pm., the Capitol doors were breached, and the group stormed into the building.

Once inside the Capitol, the group split up. Half of them, including Beeks, tried to push their way through a line of law enforcement officers guarding a hallway that led to the Senate chamber, the DOJ said.

Law enforcement forcibly repelled their advance. Beeks and others with him regrouped in the Rotunda and then left the building at about 3:04 p.m.

Authorities initially had trouble identifying him because he wore a neck gaiter as the group walked to the Capitol and during the breach of the building.

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Another defendant, who also joined the Oath Keepers Jan. 6, helped the FBI identify Beeks, according to court documents. Agents also compared pictures of Beeks wearing a face covering at the Jan. 6 riot with his social media accounts, noticing that a photograph of his right ear at the Capitol was similar to his ear as seen in a YouTube video.

He was also dressed differently from the Oath Keepers and others joining them. Unlike the camouflage-combat attire of many people in the group, he was wearing a Michael Jackson “Bad” world tour jacket and a black helmet, the DOJ said.

The FBI was able to confirm that Beeks owns that specific jacket, court documents said. Cell phone data also showed that he was near the Capitol during the building’s breach.