Mays Landing, New Jersey – Former American Ninja Warrior champion Andrew Drechsel, 35, has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for engaging in a sexual relationship with a teenage girl. Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb ruled that after serving his sentence, Drechsel must undergo 15 years of supervised release and pay the victim $100,000 in restitution.
Drechsel pleaded guilty on June 1 to charges of receiving child pornography and coercing a minor to travel across state lines for sex. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey announced the details of the case.
The victim, who was 14 years old at the time, alleged that she met Drechsel at a parkour event in 2014, where they exchanged phone numbers. Drechsel later invited the girl to his gym in Connecticut on her 15th birthday, where the sexual encounter took place.
According to the victim’s account, she and Drechsel engaged in multiple sexual encounters across New Jersey when she was between the ages of 15 and 17. In 2019, law enforcement officials found evidence on Drechsel’s phone, including images of child sexual abuse involving the victim.
Drechsel achieved fame by winning season 11 of American Ninja Warrior and subsequently losing all ties with NBC. He competed in eight seasons of the renowned competition show, during which he earned $1 million in prize money.
The case of Andrew Drechsel underscores the serious legal repercussions and ethical considerations involved in engaging in sexual relationships with minors. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences individuals face for such illegal and harmful behavior, as the justice system works to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.