Former American Ninja Warrior Winner Drew Drechsel Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Child Sex Crimes

Drew Dreschel is heading to prison.

The American Ninja Warrior alum—he won season 11 of the series in 2019—has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for receiving child pornography and enticement to travel for illicit sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger confirmed in a press release.

In June 2023, according to the release, Dreschel 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.

The release included, citing case documents and statements made in court, details around the 35-year-old’s 2020 arrest, noting law enforcement agents “searched one of Drechsel’s phones and found images of child sexual abuse, including photos and videos of the victim when the victim was 14 and 15 years old.”

According to Sellinger, Dreschel admitted to meeting the victim in 2014 through the parkour community and to “texting the victim and discussing his plans to engage in sexual activity with the victim.” The minor then traveled, according to the report, across state lines in July 2015 so that “Drechsel could have sexual relations with the victim.”

In addition to 10 years, Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb sentenced Drechsel to 15 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim.

E! News has reached out to Dreschel’s attorney for comment and has not yet heard back.

After Dreschel was charged in 2020, a spokesperson for NBCUniversal shared a statement regarding his arrest.

“We are shocked and disturbed to learn about the charges alleged against Drew Drechsel,” the statement began. “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.”

It continued, “Moving forward, the American Ninja Warrior brand will sever all ties with Mr. Drechsel, including his appearance on future seasons of the show."

(E! News and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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