A criminal complaint said Andrew “Drew” Drechsel met the victim, a teen from New Jersey, “after an event attended by numerous contestants (from) ‘American Ninja Warrior.'”
In 2019, law enforcement searched a then-30-year-old Drechsel’s phone and found the incriminating images of the underage girl.
The charges were brought against him in a New Jersey court, where he was accused of manufacturing inappropriate material, enticing a minor to travel for illicit purposes, and using interstate communication to facilitate these actions.
Court Proceedings
The criminal complaint against Drechsel stated that he met the victim, a teenager from New Jersey, during an event attended by “American Ninja Warrior” contestants. In 2019, law enforcement searched Drechsel’s phone, discovering images that led to the charges.
Drechsel, a resident of Saint Cloud, Florida, pleaded guilty on June 1, 2023, before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb in Camden federal court. The U.S. Attorney’s Office detailed Drechsel’s illegal activities, which spanned from 2014 to 2019, during which time he coerced the victim into crossing state lines to engage in illicit conduct.
Sentencing and Restitution
In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, Judge Bumb sentenced Drechsel to 15 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim. This case marks a significant legal outcome for the former “American Ninja Warrior” champion.
