American Ninja Warrior Vet Drew Drechsel Sentenced to 10+ Years for Child Sex Crimes

Matt Webb Mitovich

28 June 2024 at 0:11 pm·2-min read

American Ninja Warrior Season 11 champion Drew Drechsel, who in August 2020 was charged with multiple child sex crimes, has been sentenced to 121 months in jail.

Drecshel a little over a year ago pleaded guilty to 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.

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According to court documents, Drechsel was living in Hamden, Conn. when in November 2019 law enforcement agents found on one of his phones images of child sexual abuse, including photos and videos of the victim when the victim was 14 and 15 years old.

Drechsel admitted that he originally met the victim in 2014, through his activities in the parkour community as an American Ninja Warrior competitor.

Drechsel admitted texting said victim and discussing his plans to engage in sexual activity with the victim. At Drechsel’s urging, the victim in July 2015 traveled across state lines so that Drechsel could have sexual relations with the victim.

In addition to the prison term, Drechsel has been sentenced to 15 years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim.

Back when Drechsel was first charged, NBC said in a statement, “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.”

Drechsel had been competing on Ninja Warrior since Season 3 (2011), making it to the National Finals six times before eventually winning the $1 million prize in the Season 11 finale. He also served as a coach on Celebrity Ninja Warrior and as a mentor on American Ninja Warrior Junior.

If you you need help or suspect a child or teen in your life needs help, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-HOPE or Visit online.rainn.org for free, confidential, anonymous support 24/7.

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