Reagan T. Fondren Acting United States Attorney for the Western District Of Tennessee | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee
Justin Deshun Stiger, a 33-year-old Memphis resident, was convicted this week for making threats to kill two federal prosecutors and a federal judge in Memphis. The conviction followed a jury trial in Memphis and was announced by United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Braden H. Boucek.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee did not handle the case because two of its prosecutors were among those threatened. Instead, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted Stiger.
United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek stated, “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 added, “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.”
During the trial, evidence showed that Stiger was awaiting sentencing in federal court on April 16, 2025, related to his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy when he began threatening prosecutors. Witnesses testified that Stiger had previously been convicted of a violent crime and had connections with a criminal street gang. In court, he pointed at prosecutors and said they were “going to die” due to their sentencing recommendation.
When U.S. District Judge Mark Norris ordered Stiger removed from the courtroom after these statements, Stiger directed his threats at the judge as well: “You’re gonna die too, judge.” When Judge Norris asked if this was a threat, Stiger replied: “It ain’t no threat. It’s a promise.” According to further evidence presented at trial, Stiger later told a Deputy U.S. Marshal investigating the incident that “whoever gonna play with my life is gonna die,” and added in a recorded statement about both prosecutors and judge: “I ain’t playing bro. Like they gonna die.”
Stiger is scheduled for sentencing on June 18, 2026 in U.S. District Court in Memphis. He faces up to ten years imprisonment for each of three counts.
The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation into this case.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Hinkle from the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted Stiger.
