Former Jubilee Theatre director indicted on child sex charges

The former artistic director of Fort Worth’s Jubilee Theatre, accused in January of offering a teenager and two boys money for sex, was indicted this week by a Tarrant County grand jury.

The two-count indictment returned Thursday charges Declois Beacham, 34, with compelling a child to commit prostitution and of having sexual contact with a boy in exchange for money.

Compelling prostitution of a child is a first-degree felony that carries a sentence range of five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The case has been assigned to the 297th District Court. Beacham’s lawyer, Cody Lee Cofer, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

Beacham, known professionally as Tre Garrett, was arrested in January during an investigation by Fort Worth police of reports that a man was trying to solicit sex from boys in southeast Fort Worth.

Beacham, who previously maintained his innocence through a former attorney, has not been on staff at the theater since February, said Barbara Cager, president of the Jubliee Theatre board. She said the theater cooperated with law enforcement.

“Jubliee Theatre, its board and staff are saddened to learn that an individual formerly associated with the theater has been indicted on charges of compelling prostitution of a minor in our community,” Cager said. “It’s just very sad.”

The Star-Telegram reported that on two occasions, boys said they were approached by a man in southeast Fort Worth near East Rosedale Street and Loop 820.

A 17-year-old told Fort Worth police that on Jan. 9 a man with a goatee driving a gray BMW approached him and asked if he knew anyone who would engage in oral sex for $100, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. The teen told police that he ran away after the man showed him the money.

On Jan. 12, a man in a BMW drove up beside two boys, 10 and 11, and asked if they wanted to make $100. The boys said Beacham showed them cash and asked them to get into his car. The younger boy declined and later told his mother what had happened. The boy’s mother called the police.

When officers questioned him later, the 11-year-old gave police five $20 bills and said that he got them from Beacham.

The three boys identified Beacham in a photo array as the man who offered them money for sex.

Beacham denied talking to any children while seated in his car, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. Beacham told investigators that he was often in the area because he mentored a 19-year-old who lives there, his favorite restaurant is there, and he has friends who live in the area.

This report includes material from Star-Telegram archives.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 7:14 PM with the headline "Former Jubilee Theatre director indicted on child sex charges."