LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Celebrity "SuperChef" and former Louisville restaurant owner Darnell Ferguson pleaded not guilty Monday to several charges alleging he broke into a home and strangled the mother of three of his children.

On Feb. 20, Ferguson was indicted for first-degree burglary, first-degree strangulation, fourth-degree assault, third-degree terroristic threatening, menacing and criminal mischief.

He is known nationally from various TV shows, including as a host on Food Network's "SuperChef Grudge Match." He also competed on several of the network's other shows, including "Tournament of Champions."

In court Monday, Ferguson's attorney, Krsna Tibbs, told a judge there is an order from family court allowing Ferguson visitation with his children and to contact the alleged victim through a phone app. 

Evidence in the case will be turned over to the defense before the next hearing scheduled for April. 

After the hearing, Ferguson told reporters he was "100%" not guilty. 

"I'm not an aggressive man," he said. "I'm not a violent man. I'm so passive and kind. What you've read is not true."

Ferguson provided his first extended comments about the case after his arraignment. He said he looked forward to talking in detail about the allegations as the evidence comes out. 

"Everything I've been known for for years and decades now is still 100% true — the kindness, the kind of person I've been, helping people," he said. "My life the last year has been devoted to raising money for women being trafficked, woman being abused. Like, that's where I've been at. I want people to know that's my heart. That's who I am. Nothing has changed."

Ferguson said it is difficult not to discuss the case but at "some point we will get a chance to tell our side of the story and actually present our story but now is not the time. It's hard to be quiet but I just want people to know I'm the same exact person I've been for years." 

Police have testified that Ferguson got "upset" when he found a man in the alleged victim's bed and strangled her. 

In a hearing last month to determine if there was enough evidence for a criminal case against Ferguson to continue, St. Matthews Detective Mark Richardson testified police have pictures of the woman's injuries, blood on her clothing, her statements, a hole punched in the wall and statements from the man initially in the home.

The woman said in a request for an emergency protective order that Ferguson was upset that she wasn't answering his texts and that she had a man over, according to court records. 

Richardson said Ferguson tried to call the woman a few times that night. When she didn’t answer, Ferguson went to her home Jan. 2. Richardson said there was no sign of forced entry, but a window was open.

"I don't know if he was going (to the home) to commit crimes, however he did commit crimes," Richardson testified.

The woman, who is not being named by WDRB News because she is an alleged victim of sexual assault, woke up with Ferguson in her room. Another man in the room got up and left, without any altercation, Richardson testified.

When the woman couldn't find a key Ferguson needed for another vehicle, he punched a hole in a closet wall, the officer testified.

The two argued and Ferguson "put both of his hands around her throat and started to strangle her," saying he said "I'm going to kill you," Richardson said. Ferguson also ripped her shorts off and said she was his and "no one else's."

The officer testified that Ferguson calmed down and told the woman he was sorry and that she needed to get herself together as he was going to drop the children off. The children were in Ferguson's vehicle at the time. 

Before he left, Richardson said Ferguson took the woman’s identification and credit card.

After the alleged attack, the woman was taken to the courthouse to take out an emergency protective order against Ferguson and then the hospital.

On Monday, Ferguson told reporters that the burglary did not occur and that he had bought the house. 

"I don't even have that in my body," he said. "And the other (allegations) that you've read, you've not heard me say a word. Just know that is not how anything happened. One hundred percent not how it happened. I'm sad we're going through this." 

Tibbs said Ferguson had his three children with him and needed to drop them off at their mother's house because of an emergency.

"As a result of his family emergency, he had to drop the children off," Tibbs said. "We've always maintained this is clearly not a burglary." 

Tibbs has said the alleged victim had recanted the allegation that Ferguson had strangled her and was not planning to cooperate with the case. 

But the prosecution said on Monday the alleged victim is cooperating and stands by her allegations. 

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Max Gosman told reporters Ferguson is facing decades in prison if convicted and will be prosecuted like any other defendant. 

"Domestic violence cases are far too prevalent and it's going to be my goal to prosecute this case with as much vigor and respect to the victim's well being and safety as I can," he said. 

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