ST PAUL, Minn. — A celebrity chef is in jail Thursday after he allegedly violated a no-contact order, days after pleading guilty to charges alleging he threatened to shoot his girlfriend.
Saint Paul Police told KARE 11 Justin Sutherland was arrested after being seen by officers with the victim in his assault case, despite him having an active no-contact order.
Two days ago, Sutherland pleaded guilty to one count of threats of violence - reckless disregard. According to the criminal complaint in that case, Saint Paul Police responded to an apartment in June. There, a woman claiming to be Sutherland's girlfriend told police he pointed a gun at her and then hit her in the chest with it, allegedly saying "don't come back here or I am going to shoot you."
The chef and reality television star received a 360-day suspended sentence, which he would have to serve should he violate the terms of the agreement.
He is arrested on suspicion of gross misdemeanor violation of protection order, Saint Paul Police told KARE 11. New charges will be determined by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
Sutherland competed on Season 16 of "Top Chef" and won Iron Chef America.
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An earlier version of this story said the victim called police, which is what officials initially told KARE 11. A spokesperson provided a correction later in the evening to clarify an officer had spotted Sutherland with her.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and needs help, call 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 to be connected with someone from the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline includes more options for support and identifiers of abuse on its website.
