Former ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Champion Andrew Drechsel Sentenced To Over A Decade In Prison For Child Sex Crimes

Andrew “Drew” Drechsel, the former winner of the popular NBC competition show American Ninja Warrior, has been sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for his involvement in child sex crimes.

The announcement was made on June 26, 2024, by the United States Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey. Drechsel was first charged in 2020.

According to the press release, Drechsel, a 35-year-old resident of Saint Cloud, Florida, pleaded guilty on June 1, 2023, to charges of receiving child pornography and knowingly persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing a minor to travel across state lines for illicit sexual conduct.

The victim, who was between the ages of 14 and 15 at the time of the offenses, lived in New Jersey, while Drechsel resided in Hamden, Connecticut, from 2014 to 2019. After law enforcement agents searched one of Drechsel’s phones on Nov. 8, 2019, they found images of child sexual abuse and photos and videos of the victim.

The investigation revealed that Drechsel, who won season 11 of American Ninja Warrior in 2019, first met the victim through his involvement in the parkour community. He proceeded to engage in an inappropriate relationship with the minor, texting the victim and arranging for their interstate travel in July 2015 so that he could engage in sexual activity.

In the sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb not only imposed the 121-month prison term but also ordered Drechsel to serve 15 years of supervised release and pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim. This severe punishment reflects the gravity of the offenses committed by the former television personality.

The case has sent shockwaves through the American Ninja Warrior community. When the charges were first filed in 2020, the network, NBC, swiftly severed all ties with Drechsel and denounced his actions. In a statement at the time, the network said, “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.”