Former ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Winner Receives 10-Year Prison Sentence On Child Exploitation Charges

American Ninja Warrior Season 11 winner Andrew (Drew) Drechsel was sentenced to over 10 years in prison on Wednesday (June 26).

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Wednesday that Drechsel’s sentence is 121 months “for receiving child pornography and enticement to travel for illicit sexual conduct.”

Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb ruled that, apart from the sentence, Drechsel will additionally pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim and serve 15 years of supervised release.

Citing a criminal complaint, Deadline reports that Drechsel and the victim, who is from New Jersey and was 14 years old at the time, had met at a parkour event in 2014, where they exchanged phone numbers. Drechsel “admitted” to this backstory, per the press release. According to the New York Post , Drechsel was 26 at the time.

Both outlets report that the victim told police that on her 15th birthday in 2015, Drechsel — who lived in Connecticut — invited her to his gym, where they had sex. She also said that they had sex multiple times between when she was 15 and 17.

As detailed in the press release, one of Drechsel’s phones was searched on Nov. 8, 2019, where law enforcement agents found pictures of child sexual abuse, including some of the victim at 14 and 15 years old.

Drechsel was arrested in 2020, per NBC 10 Philadelphia. According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBCUniversal and production company A. Smith & Co had released the following statement at the time:

“We are shocked and disturbed to learn about the charges alleged against Drew Drechsel. 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. Moving forward, the American Ninja Warrior brand will sever all ties with Mr. Drechsel, including his appearance on future seasons of the show.”

Per the press release, Drechsel “admitted texting the victim and discussing his plans to engage in sexual activity with the victim.” On June 1, 2023, Drechsel pleaded guilty “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.”

Decider reached out to NBC for comment.

If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org.