Celebrity chef Justin Sutherland arrested in St. Paul for allegedly violating no-contact order

Twin Cities celebrity chef Justin Sutherland was arrested in St. Paul on Thursday for allegedly violating a no-contact order with a woman he threatened to shoot earlier this year.

Sutherland pleaded guilty on Monday to a felony count of threatening violence. He was accused of pointing a gun at his girlfriend in June. A court order prohibits him from making contact with the woman.

According to a spokesperson for the St. Paul Police Department, an officer recognized Sutherland and the woman together at a Target store on Thursday afternoon.

Officers confirmed the no-contact order was active, and then arrested Sutherland without incident shortly after at a nearby store.

The plea deal Sutherland agreed to calls for a 360-day jail sentence to be stayed for two years as long as he completes 100 hours of community service, undergoes a chemical dependency evaluation, and does not possess any firearms.

The final decision on Sutherland’s sentence is up to a judge, with a sentencing hearing set for Dec. 13.

A message left with Sutherland’s attorney was not immediately returned.

If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation with their partner, there is a 24-hour statewide domestic violence hotline. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.