Darnell Ferguson.Photo:Food Network
Food Network
Prosecutors have proceeded with domestic violence-related criminal charges against Food Network starDarnell “SuperChef” Ferguson, who has been accused of strangling and threatening to kill his estranged wife in Kentucky.
Ferguson was arrested Jan. 9 in St. Matthews, a suburb of Louisville, on felony charges of burglary and strangulation,PEOPLE previously reported. He also faces misdemeanor charges including assault, terroristic threatening, menacing, criminal mischief.
He faced an additional misdemeanor charge, theft-receipt of a stolen credit or debit card, for allegedly taking his estranged wife’s credit/debit card and her ID, but it was dismissed at the preliminary hearing, per the file.
Darnell reportedly pleaded not guilty and is currently out on bail.
The warrant stated St. Matthews claimed she was unable to breathe and lost consciousness.
“When victim regained consciousness, she was on the floor and [Darnell] then ripped off the victim’s shorts, causing a scratch to victim’s upper thigh,” the warrant alleged. “After ripping victim’s shorts, [Darnell] demanded to see victim’s private area and told victim she was his and no one else’s.”
The warrant further claimed that St. Matthews told police that Ferguson’s alleged actions “placed her in fear of being sexually assaulted.”
Darnell Ferguson.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Police were called to the home and took photos of the alleged victim’s injuries, which included “redness, scratches and pain to her neck and a scratch to her upper thigh,” the warrant alleged. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
In a statement provided to PEOPLE last week, Tibbs wrote, “Darnell and his wife are separated, and are working together to find a new balance for their family.”
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“They had a disagreement on January 2 that was subsequently reported to the authorities in a misleading and false manner,” the lawyer added. “We are hopeful that these issues will be resolved shortly and in a way that is least disruptive to their blended family of eight children.”
“We ask at this time for privacy for Darnell and the entire family so that they can heal and continue to work on coparenting as they move forward with their divorce,” the statement concluded.
Tatahda’s attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Darnell is described on theFood Network websiteas a celebrity chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur, who currently hostsSuperchef Grudge Match. In early 2023, he co-hosted Season 25 ofWorst Cooks in AmericaalongsideAnne Burrell.
source: people.com
