Food Network host Darnell 'Superchef' Ferguson indicted on assault, strangulation charges
A grand jury in Jefferson County has indicted Food Network host and former Louisville restaurateur Darnell "Superchef" Ferguson in connection to allegations that he assaulted his estranged wife while he attempted to drop off their children at her apartment.
Ferguson has been indicted on charges stemming from the Jan. 2 altercation. His charges include one count each of burglary in the first degree, strangulation in the first degree, assault in the fourth degree, terroristic threatening in the third degree, menacing and criminal mischief.
Jenna Guarneri, chief executive officer of JMG Public Relations, sent an emailed statement to The Courier Journal, which she said should be attributed to Ferguson's legal counsel, Krsna Tibbs.
“Darnell is looking forward to being able to have his day in court and presenting to the jury of his peers, evidence that will show he is innocent of the charges," Tibbs said. "The law clearly states that the indictment does not decipher guilt or innocence."
The case has been assigned to Jefferson Circuit Court. Ferguson's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 26 at 3 p.m.
A protective order was issued against Ferguson on Jan. 2, according to records from Jefferson County Family Court. According to court documents filed in August, Ferguson had previously been ordered to only have limited contact with his wife.
During a pretrial hearing in late January, Detective Mark Richardson with the St. Matthews Police Department testified as part of the law enforcement team who responded to the incident. Richardson had interviewed Ferguson's wife that day, who claims she woke up to Ferguson inside her home without permission.
According to her, Ferguson was angry with her about not returning his phone calls. He then asked her to get up and look for a vehicle key, Richardson said he was told. At the time, their elementary school-aged children were sitting in Ferguson's car.
As she searched for the key, they began arguing, with Ferguson allegedly punching the closet area and causing damage to the door and wall, Richardson said.
Ferguson is also accused of strangling the woman, which made her briefly lose consciousness and wake up on the floor.
According to the woman's interview with police, she said Ferguson apologized and asked her to "get (herself) together" as the children were about to enter her residence. Ferguson then left the children with her.
Ferguson became widely known as a restaurant owner after opening Superchefs and Tha Drippin Crab in Louisville, but both locations are now closed. Ferguson had said he wanted to focus on his television career, which includes appearing in and hosting several shows on Food Network, including "Superchef Grudge Match," which launched its second season in December.
The Courier Journal has reached out to Food Network for comment on Ferguson's arrest and has not received a response.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Darnell 'Superchef' Ferguson indicted on assault, burglary charges
