Michael Jackson Impersonator Arrested As Part Of Capitol Insurrection

On January 6th, 2021, a group of overenthusiastic Oath Keepers stormed the Capitol in a stack formation. Among them was a Broadway actor who impersonated as Michael Jackson. Prosecutors alleged the same on Tuesday, November 23rd.

Prosecutors alleged Broadway actor James Delisco Beeks breached the Capitol while wearing a jacket from Jackson’s 1987 Bad world tour. The Oath Keepers are known to be a violent extremist group. These violent insurrectionists loyal to former President Trump scaled the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

According to a statement of facts from the FBI, James Delisco Beeks breached the Capitol building during the insurrection with members of the militia group. He then proceeded to the rotunda. Surveillance video captured him holding up his cell phone, apparently capturing the moment for posterity.

The DOJ does not suspect that Beeks traveled to D.C. with the Oath Keepers. Rather, they say that he joined with a group of Oath Keepers while walking from the Ellipse to the Capitol. The FBI wrote, “Beeks has an additional connection to Michael Jackson. According to his LinkedIn profile and YouTube page, Beeks regularly performs as a Michael Jackson impersonator.”

In video and photos from that day, Beeks can be seen clad in all black, wearing a black helmet and a black jacket that has “‘BAD’ written in red on the left breast. The jacket, prosecutors allege, is from Michael Jackson’s Bad world tour, which began in 1987. Beeks also carried a shield which he told the Oath Keepers was “homemade and bulletproof.”

At first glance, investigators had difficulty identifying Beeks because, although he was mostly with a group of Oath Keepers, he was not dressed like them. He had his face covered with a gaiter for the entirety of the attack. The feds were finally able to identify him with the help of another Capitol rioter who already pleaded guilty, who is identified only as “Defendant 4.”

The government’s statement of facts said, “Defendant 4 stated that he spoke with Beeks while the group walked towards the Capitol. According to Defendant 4, Beeks approached the group, and specifically Defendant 4, and stated that he was an Oath Keeper, that he had recently joined the Oath Keepers, that he was from Orlando, and that he had been following [Florida Oath Keeper leader] Kelly Meggs’s posts on social media.”

According to Politico, Beeks formerly starred as Judas in a traveling performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, and that his resume also lists roles in Kinky Boots, Aida, and Ragtime. What’s your take on this story? Sound off in the comments!