Tennessee – A Memphis man with a violent criminal history has been found guilty of making repeated and explicit death threats against federal prosecutors and a federal judge, a case that officials say struck at the core of the justice system and courtroom safety.
Justin Deshun Stiger, 33, of Memphis, was convicted this week following a jury trial in Memphis of threatening to murder two federal prosecutors and a federal judge. The conviction was announced by Braden H. Boucek, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Because two prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee were among the victims, that office was recused from the case. Prosecutors from the Middle District of Tennessee instead handled the matter to avoid any conflict of interest.
Threats made inside a federal courtroom
According to evidence presented at trial, the threats occurred as Stiger was preparing to be sentenced in federal court in Memphis on April 16, 2025, for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Witnesses testified that Stiger became enraged after learning what sentence federal prosecutors planned to recommend.
Stiger, who has a prior conviction for a crime of violence and documented ties to a criminal street gang, pointed directly at the prosecutors and said they were “going to die” because of the sentence they intended to seek. As the situation escalated, U.S. District Judge Mark Norris ordered Stiger removed from the courtroom.
While being taken out, Stiger turned his threats toward the bench, telling the judge, “You’re gonna die too, judge.” When Judge Norris asked him directly whether he was making a threat, Stiger replied, “It ain’t no threat. It’s a promise.”
The evidence did not end there. Prosecutors showed that Stiger later repeated his violent intent during an investigation by the United States Marshals Service. He told a Deputy U.S. Marshal that “whoever gonna play with my life is gonna die.” In a recorded statement, Stiger again referenced the prosecutors and the judge, saying, “I ain’t playing bro. Like they gonna die.”
U.S. Attorney Boucek said the conduct went far beyond angry words.
“Threats to law enforcement and the federal judiciary are not just attacks on those individuals. They are threats to the justice system itself. We take those extremely seriously, and we will hold those who make them accountable for their actions,” he said. “Federal courtrooms are no place for violent threats, and public servants who are dedicated to serving our communities need to be able to go to work without worrying about someone threating to kill them.”
Sentencing scheduled and penalties outlined
Stiger now faces serious consequences for his actions. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Memphis. He was convicted on three counts, each carrying a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, meaning he could face decades behind bars if the court imposes consecutive sentences.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service, which is responsible for protecting federal judges, prosecutors, and court facilities. The prosecution was led by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Hinkle of the Middle District of Tennessee.
Federal officials said the conviction sends a clear message that threats against judges and prosecutors will be treated as grave crimes, especially when made inside a courtroom, where the rule of law must remain secure.
