Cast member of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ arrested in Milwaukee for his actions during Jan. 6 Capitol attack – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Uploaded by on November 24, 2021 at 9:03 pm

Aaron Lavigne, left, and James Justis are seen in a production photo from the national tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar." Justis, whose real name is James D. Beeks, was arrested Tuesday in Milwaukee for his actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

A Florida actor was arrested in Milwaukee on Tuesday, charged with a felony and a misdemeanor related to the attack of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, James D. Beeks was charged with obstruction of Congress, a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully entering a restricted building or ground.

The 49-year-old Orlando resident was in Milwaukee this week as a cast member of the national tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” which is performing at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through Sunday.

More:‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ celebrating 50 years as a musical, comes to Marcus Center for Thanksgiving week

According to Variety.com, Beeks, whose stage name is James T. Justis, portrayed Judas in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Variety reported that he was suspended immediately from the tour.

The Justice Department said Beeks was an affiliate of the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government militia organization.

According to the criminal complaint filed by an FBI agent investigating the incident:

Beeks and a group of Oath Keeper members 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 around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 6.

The people Beeks marched with assaulted officers using pepper spray, flagpoles, and numerous improvised weapons and projectiles. They also disarmed the officers by stealing their shields and pushing them away from the Rotunda doors.

Soon the mob stormed the Capitol and forced themselves inside.

Once inside the group split off, half headed to the House of Representatives chanting for Nancy Pelosi. Beeks and the others headed to the Senate Chamber.

The group encountered a line of law enforcement officers who were guarding a hallway that led to the chamber.

Law enforcement forcibly repelled the group, which retreated to the Capitol Rotunda and then left the building at 3:04 p.m.

Beeks stood out from the camouflaged-combat attire of many Oath Keeper individuals as he was wearing a Michael Jackson “BAD” world tour jacket and black helmet.

Various media outlets have reported that he was a Michael Jackson impersonator as well.

He was also carrying what appeared to be a homemade black shield.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

Jordyn Noennig covers Wisconsin culture and lifestyle. Follow her on Instagram @JordynTaylor_n. Find her on Twitter @JordynTNoennig. Call her at 262-446-6601 or email Jordyn.Noennig@jrn.com.

Source Article from https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/2021/11/24/jesus-christ-superstar-actor-arrested-role-capitol-attacks/8752952002/

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