NBC Cuts ‘America Ninja Warrior’ Convicted of Child Sex Crimes: ‘Shocked’

NBC has severed ties with the former American Ninja Warrior winner Drew Drechsel after his arrest on multiple counts of child sex trafficking for which he was sentenced to just over 10 years in prison last week.

Drechsel, 35, was arrested in August 2020 after having sex with a 14-year-old girl he first met at a parkour event in 2014 when he was 25 or 26.

He won season 11 of the NBC competition show in 2019, and in 2023, he was one of only four contestants to complete all four stages of the American version of the show.

Drechsel was also a mentor on Junior American Ninja Warrior. Despite his historic success on the show, NBC released a statement after Drechsel’s arrest, announcing that they would be cutting ties with him.

“We are shocked and disturbed to learn of the allegations against Drew Drechsel,” the network said in a statement at the time.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 incredible stories of so many. Moving forward, American Ninja Warrior The brand will sever all ties with Mr. Drechsel, including his appearance in future seasons of the show.

Drechsel lived in Connecticut at the time of his crime, while his victim lived in New Jersey. Drechsel moved to Florida in 2019, where he was eventually arrested. In November 2019, investigators executed a search warrant to search his phone and found child pornography, including photos and videos of the underage victim, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey said in a recent news release.

“Drechsel admitted to texting the victim and discussing plans to have sex with her. At Drechsel’s request, the victim traveled across state lines in July 2015 so that Drechsel could have sex with her,” the prosecutor’s office added.

Drechsel pleaded guilty in June 2023 to one count of receiving child pornography and one count of willfully persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing a minor to travel interstate to engage in sexual activity. Last week, he was sentenced to 121 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, and must pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim.

Newsweek has contacted NBC for comment on Drechsel’s conviction.

Drechsel and her partner April Beckner, although it is unclear whether they are still together, welcomed a baby boy in December 2019. Both have deleted all of their social media.

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