TOP CHEF’S Justin Sutherland was arrested after a heated argument with his girlfriend allegedly turned physical.
Justin, 39, is being accused of allegedly “choking girlfriend” and “threatening her with a gun.”
Justin is facing criminal charges as of yesterday following an arrest on Friday.
Prosecutors allege he physically assaulted his girlfriend, 24, and threatened her with a gun last week in Minnesota.
According to CBS News, the argument started after Justin said “they were no longer going to a music festival.”
The criminal complaint also reads that Justin allegedly pointed a gun at her, saying, “Don’t come back here or I am going to shoot you.”
At the height of the altercation, the claims detail Justin allegedly choked his girlfriend and hit her with said gun.
Before things escalated, his girlfriend called 911 stating Justin choked her and was threatening to evict her.
At the time no arrest were made and Justin’s name wasn’t mentioned “because she did not want to get anyone in trouble.”
She told the officers at the scene that she and Justin “had a disagreement about something stupid.”
The incident allegedly heightened and Justin was arrested and charged with one count of felony threats of violence.
He has since been released and was instructed to hand over any firearms to authorities within 24 hours.
CHEF’S DENIAL
Following the arrest, Justin’s attorney, John Daily, said the complaint “is riddled in falsehoods” and denied the claims.
Justin Sutherland’s Career
Justin Sutherland has a long line of culinary experience under his belt.
- Justin took culinary classes at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.
- In 2016, Justin opened his restaurant Handsome Hog in his hometown St. Paul, Minnesota.
- In 2018, Justin won season 13 of Iron Chef.
- The following year, Justin competed on season 16 of Top Chef.
- In 2021, Justin joined Kristen Kish as a co-host of TruTV’s Fast Foodies.
- In 2022, Justin was the host of his own show Taste the Culture with Justin Sutherland.
- That same year, he was a contestant on Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions.
“Mr. Sutherland vehemently denies all the allegations in the complaint,” said John said 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.”
His attorney also mentioned, “The relationship was coming to an end,” which reportedly prompted the claims.
If Justin is found guilty, the charge carries a maximum of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE
In 2022, the culinary TV personality suffered a boating accident that left him with severe injuries.
Justin was boating with friends in Minnesota when he fell into the water in an attempt to retreive his hat and landed right near the motor.
At the time, a GoFundMe account detailed the event saying the “propeller did a number on his head and left arm.”
Justin was also left with a broken arm and “severely broken” jaw.
The Top Chef received multiple surgeries as a result of the accident and has since recovered.
In total, the GoFundMe page raised $287,673 of the $500,000 goal that went towards medical bills.
