TOP CHEF STAR JUSTIN SUTHERLAND ARRESTED AFTER 'CHOKING, THREATENING TO SHOOT GIRLFRIEND OVER CANCELED TRIP TO MUSIC FESTIVAL'
A Top Chef star was charged on Monday after being arrested for allegedly assaulting and threatening his girlfriend with a gun last week in Minnesota.
Ramsey County Attorney's Office charged 39-year-old celebrity chef Justin Sutherland with one felony count of threats of violence in connection to the incident on Friday, per NBC Kare11.
The 24-year-old woman told police that Sutherland allegedly pointed a gun at her, struck her in the chest with it, and said, 'Don't come back here, or I am going to shoot you.'
He then approached her and choked her for several seconds before slamming her phone on the kitchen counter multiple times, according to the criminal complaint.
The alleged victim told officers that the argument began 'when he told her that they were no longer going to a music festival,' according to CBS News.
The complaint states that she reported Sutherland was agitated about their neighbors 'being racist towards him', and she believed he was venting his frustration on her.
Officers were sent to the same location earlier that evening after a woman reported her boyfriend had strangled her and was trying to evict her from the apartment, per the outlet.
While on the call, she refused to disclose her boyfriend's name, saying she didn't want anyone to face consequences.
Responding officers spoke with the woman, who reported that Sutherland had pushed her in the chest during a minor disagreement but insisted she didn't need help.
Sutherland confirmed the verbal argument and also declined police assistance, resulting in no arrests.
The celebrity chef's attorney, John Daly, described the criminal complaint as 'riddled with falsehoods' in a statement to People.
'Mr. Sutherland vehemently denies all the allegations in the complaint,' Daly said.
'He never threatened to shoot anyone. He did not physically assault his girlfriend. He looks forward to the truth coming out as the court process unfolds.'
Regarding the woman's allegations of the reasons for the argument, he noted, 'The relationship was coming to an end.'
If found guilty, the charge for threats of violence carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Following his court appearance on Monday, Sutherland was granted release on his own recognizance and instructed to hand over any firearms in his possession to the police within 24 hours.
Sutherland is currently the co-host of TruTV's Fast Foodies with Kristen Kish.
He was an Iron Chef America winner and competed on season 16 of Top Chef in 2019.
Read more 2024-07-02T01:02:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd