A Memphis man’s attempt to intimidate the legal system backfired last week after a federal jury found him guilty of threatening to kill the very officials presiding over his case. Justin Deshun Stiger, 33, now faces decades behind bars for a courtroom outburst that turned a drug sentencing into a fresh criminal conviction.
The incident unfolded on April 16, 2025, inside a Memphis federal courtroom. Stiger was appearing before U.S. District Judge Mark Norris for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
However, as the prosecution began recommending his sentence, the atmosphere turned volatile. According to trial testimony, Stiger—a man with a prior violent criminal history and documented gang ties—pointed directly at the federal prosecutors and told them they were “going to die.”
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When Judge Norris ordered Stiger to be removed from the room to restore order, Stiger didn’t back down. Instead, he widened his target, telling the judge, “You’re gonna die too, judge.” When Norris pressed him on whether that was an official threat, Stiger reportedly doubled down, chillingly stating, “It ain’t no threat. It’s a promise.”
The gravity of the situation led the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee to recuse itself entirely, as their own staff were the targets of the vitriol. Prosecutors from the Middle District of Tennessee stepped in to handle the trial, emphasizing that such behavior is an assault on the foundation of the American legal process. U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek noted that public servants must be able to perform their duties without the shadow of lethal violence hanging over them.
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Even after the initial courtroom scene, evidence showed Stiger remained defiant. In a recorded statement later provided to a Deputy U.S. Marshal, Stiger reiterated his intent, saying, “I ain’t playing bro. Like they gonna die.” He claimed that anyone who “plays with his life” would face the same fate.
Stiger’s bravado has led to serious legal consequences. He was convicted on three counts of making threats against federal officials. With each count carrying a maximum of ten years, he could see his time in federal custody extended significantly. He is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on June 18, 2026, where a different judge will likely decide how many years his “promises” will cost him.
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