The 39-year-old celebrity chef was taken into custody on Friday, June 28 in St. Paul, Minnesota after allegedly threatening to shoot his girlfriend and squeezing her neck.
- Jul 3, 2024
AceShowbiz - Justin Sutherland was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot his girlfriend and squeezing her neck. Now the "Top Chef" alum is facing criminal charges in the wake of his arrest.
The 39-year-old was taken into custody on Friday, June 28 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has since been charged with one count of felony threats of violence, reckless disregard risk, according to a statement of probable cause.
Justin, who is the chef behind several well-known restaurants in the Twin Cities such as the Handsome Hog, Big E and Gray Duck Tavern, was released on his own recognizance and instructed to surrender any guns he owns within 24 hours. He is set to make a court appearance on August 16.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim told police that Justin pointed a gun at her and struck her in the chest with it. The celebrity chef allegedly shouted, "Don't come back here or I am going to shoot you."
The woman, who remains anonymous in light of the alleged domestic violence, went on to claim to officers that the "Fast Foodies" star put his hands around her neck and squeezed for several seconds. He allegedly strangled her while saying, "I could kill you."
Justin, however, denied making threats against his girlfriend. His attorney, John Daly, argued that the woman's accusations are "riddled with falsehoods."
"Mr. Sutherland vehemently denies all the allegations in the complaint," the lawyer said in a statement to PEOPLE. "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."
While the criminal complaint stated that Justin and his partner began arguing because they were no longer going to a music festival, the chef's attorney begged to differ. In regards to what allegedly prompted the woman's claims, the laywer said, "The relationship was coming to an end."
