Former ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Champion Sentenced To 10 Years
Former American Ninja Warrior champ Andrew “Drew” Drechsel has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for child sex crimes. The former Ninja Warrior star was arrested in August 2020 after it was discovered that he had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl he met in 2014. Here is what has been revealed about Drew’s crimes and what’s next for the competition winner.
Drew Drechsel Pleaded Guilty To Child Sex Crimes
Drew Drechsel has been charged with multiple child sex crimes. He now faces 10+ years in prison, plus 15 years of supervised release. Additionally, the former Ninja Warrior champion has also been ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim.
On Wednesday, June 26, the United States Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey released a statement regarding Drechsel’s sentence. The press release confirmed that the former competition winner was sentenced to 121 months in jail for receiving child pornography and enticement to travel for illicit sexual conduct.
Drechsel “pleaded guilty on June 1, 2023, before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb to an information charging him with one count of receiving child pornography and one count of knowingly persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing a minor to travel interstate to engage in sexual activity for which the defendant can be charged with a crime,” the Attorney’s Office statement read.
Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb carried out sentencing Drechsel on June 26.
NBC Cut All Ties With The Former American Ninja Warrior Champ
He was initially arrested in August 2020 at his Florida home. Investigators uncovered a relationship between Drechsel and a teenage girl after the two met at an event in 2014. Law enforcement officials gained access to Drechsel’s phone and found images and videos of the victim.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that the former Ninja Warrior winner lived in Hamden, Connecticut from 2014 until November 8, 2019. His victim was between 14 and 15 years old when they had a sexual relationship. At the time, she lived in the state of New Jersey.
“Drechsel admitted that he originally met the victim in 2014 through his activities in the parkour community as an American Ninja Warrior,” the Attorney’s Office release continued.
American Ninja Warrior fans may recognize Drechsel as the winner of Season 11 of the NBC show. At the time, the network released a statement saying that they were “shocked and disturbed” by the revelation.
“American Ninja Warrior is a family show that has inspired countless people, and we will not let the actions of one contestant tarnish the hard work and amazing stories of so many,” the 2020 statement read. “Moving forward, the American Ninja Warrior brand will sever all ties with Mr. Drechsel, including his appearance on future seasons of the show.”
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