WASHINGTON – A federal judge ordered a cast member of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and alleged member of a right-wing extremist group to be placed on GPS monitoring as a condition of his release, along with no international travel, after he was arrested and charged last week with participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
James Beeks, 49, of Orlando appeared by video before DC District Chief Judge Beryl Howell for a motion hearing Monday, Nov. 29.
In addition to the GPS monitoring and no international travel, Beeks is not allowed to contact members of the Oath Keepers, including defendants in another Capitol attack case, possess firearms, use electronic communication devices, and abide by a curfew. Howell’s ruling comes after an emergency motion was filed by the government last week seeking to amend his conditions of release.
Howell ordered Beeks released on his own recognizance and for him to report to the Middle District of Florida court to surrender his passport on Wednesday, Dec. 1, and to be placed on location monitoring. He is scheduled to appear by video before another DC federal judge this week on the charges.
Messages left for two federal public defenders assigned to the case were not immediately returned.
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Beeks was arrested by the FBI at his Milwaukee hotel Tuesday, Nov. 23, hours before he was set to take the stage as “Judas” in the traveling Broadway show’s opening night in Milwaukee, charged by complaint with unlawful entry to the Capitol and obstruction of Congress. He appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Milwaukee and release on his own recognizance. The following day, that judge stayed a decision to return Beeks’ passport until after the holiday weekend, following an emergency motion filed by the government.
Court documents say Beeks paid dues to the Oath Keepers days before the attack and joined up with other group members prior to entering the capitol in a tactical formation, wearing body armor and helmets. Beeks, whose face was covered, was wearing a unique jacket from Michael Jackson’s 1987 “BAD” tour, which helped authorities identify him.
“Beeks was part of a mob of people, including some who attacked law enforcement. At 2:38 pm., the doors were breached, and the group stormed into the Capitol. 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,” said the Washington D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office. “Prior to the confrontation, Beeks joined with a group of Oath Keepers while walking from the Ellipse to the Capitol. Unlike the camouflage-combat attire of many individuals in the group, he was wearing a Michael Jackson ‘BAD’ world tour jacket and a black helmet, and he was carrying what appeared to be a homemade black shield.”
In the emergency motion, seeking to amend his release conditions, Beeks never made his flight from Orlando to Milwaukee on Monday, Nov. 22 – instead opting to drive the more than 1,200 miles. This decision came after Beeks was under FBI surveillance at the time. Court filings say Beeks notified the production company he intended to drive to the remaining tour dates, the next being in Toronto on Nov. 30. The production company also told the government Beeks had recently said he is a “sovereign citizen” – anti-government extremists who believe they don’t have to pay taxes or answer to authority, be it the courts or law enforcement.
According to court filings, authorities knew Beeks – who performs under the stage name of “James T. Justis” – would be in Milwaukee for the show, which ran from Nov. 23-28. After his arrest, a spokesperson for the show’s production company said Beeks was suspended, indefinitely, and did not perform.
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This past August, a federal grand jury brought down a superseding indictment of conspiracy, obstruction, and aiding and abetting against 17 members of the right-wing militia that took part in the tactical formations and breach of the Capitol. At least four additional members have pleaded guilty in connection to the attack, including a person that cooperated with investigators in identifying Beeks, according to court filings.
Beeks is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Washington for an initial appearance on Dec. 2.
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