A group of protesters, including a man who stormed the stage, at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest were criminally charged on Tuesday.

Police said Scott Gilbertson, 21, of California, was charged with criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and harassment after being arrested during the event Monday.

Authorities confirmed Gilbertson was the same man seen on video interrupting the competitive eating contest while wearing a Darth Vader mask and holding a sign that read "Expose Smithfield's Deathstar."

In video, Gilbertson was seen pushing his way in front of hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut, who placed the protester in a brief chokehold before security guards were able to usher him off stage.

Police say two others - Robert Yamada, 42, of Arizona, and Joshua Marxen, 31, of California, were also arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Animal activists group Direct Action Everywhere has claimed responsibility for the protest, saying on Twitter that the protest was against Smithfield Foods, which is Nathan's pork supplier.

Chestnut was undeterred by the interruption, going on to eat 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes to win the event for the seventh consecutive year.