Twin Cities celebrity chef Justin Sutherland, 40, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of threats of violence after allegedly choking his girlfriend and threatening her with a gun. Sutherland, who is a well-known chef in the area, entered the plea at Ramsey County District Court. As part of a deal with prosecutors, he was granted a one-year sentence that will be stayed for two years while he serves probation. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 13.
The case stems from an argument on June 28 at a residence on Front Avenue in St. Paul. According to a criminal complaint, Sutherland’s girlfriend told her sister over FaceTime that Sutherland had choked her and threatened to kill her. The sister called 911, and during the call, Sutherland reportedly grabbed the phone and threw it on the ground. The victim fled to a neighbor’s house to call for help. As she left, Sutherland allegedly pointed a gun at her, threatening to shoot her and hitting her in the chest with the weapon.
A separate 911 caller reported seeing a man holding a gun while the woman appeared distressed with her hands in the air.
During the investigation, police found two firearms inside a plastic gun case at Sutherland’s residence, one of which appeared to have blood on it. Sutherland’s hands were also bloodied, and eight other firearms were discovered at the location.
Sutherland’s girlfriend also reported ongoing verbal abuse and mentioned that he had broken her windshield two days earlier. She described how, during the altercation, Sutherland had choked her for several seconds, leaving her in fear for her life.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the importance of support for victims.
