NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Florida man with a string of Broadway credits to his name was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly attempted to breach the Senate chamber during the Capitol Hill riot, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced.
James Beeks, 49, who uses the stage name "James T. Justis," is charged with felony obstruction of Congress and unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds, a misdemeanor.
Court documents allege Beeks, an affiliate of the Oath Keepers, joined in the Jan. 6 riot to obstruct the Congressional proceedings following the 2020 presidential election.
At around 2:30 p.m. a group of Oath Keepers and "affiliates marched in 'stack' formation into the Capitol grounds and then up the east steps of the Capitol to the area outside of the Rotunda doors."
Beeks allegedly attacked law enforcement during the siege, as did other members of the mob, according to court filings.
Once the doors were breached at 2:38 p.m., Beeks and other participants attempted to push their way through as authorities guarded the hallway to the Senate chamber.
He left the building at around 3:04 p.m. after the group was thwarted in their attempt.
Beeks, who until Wednesday played Judas in the U.S. touring company of "Jesus Christ Superstar," was seen by federal investigators as the tour made stops in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
In a statement, producers said the actor was "suspended from the company indefinitely pending the outcome of the hearing. The production is giving its full cooperation to the authorities while the investigation is ongoing."
Beeks was arrested in Milwaukee on Tuesday, where the production is currently performing.
The Daily Beast reports his past Broadway credits include "Kinky Boots," "Aida," "Ragtime" and "Smokey Joe’s Cafe."
Prosecutors allege Beeks, a Michael Jackson impersonator, wore a jacket from the singer's "BAD" world tour during the attack, as well as a black helmet and carried "what appeared to be" a homemade black shield.
The Department of Justice said more than 675 people have been arrested across the country for crimes related to the Capitol Hill riot.
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