Warning: This article contains a recollection of child sexual abuse and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Drew Drechsel won the prize and the title of 'American Ninja Warrior' in Season 11. However, for Drechsel, who also appeared in the Japanese show Sasuke, the world soon turned upside down when his gruesome crimes made headlines in August 2020.
Drechsel was accused of wanting sex with a minor in New Jersey and was also charged with sex offenses. He was later arrested and charged with seeking sex with a minor and inducing her into sending him sexually explicit images. However, it's been more than two years since Drechsel was charged, with few updates on his whereabouts or the lawsuit against him, making people wonder where he is.
Where is Drew Drechsel now?
Drechsel was charged with serious offenses, including that he had sex with a minor. Drechsel also allegedly 'enticed and coerced' this minor to travel to Connecticut 'to engage in illicit sexual conduct,' carried out inappropriate communication with her, and convinced her to send sexually explicit images of herself to him, as per the lawsuit against him. The incident happened around January 2015 through December 2016 and began when the minor was 14 years old when the two met after an event attended by numerous 'American Ninja Warrior' contestants. However, the complaint was filed when the minor revealed her experience to her mother after Drechsel allegedly had sex with her in July 2015. Notably, Drechsel did not deny the sexual activity but stated he did not know her age at the time.
Drechsel was charged with the filming of child pornography, enticement of a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct, travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and use of interstate commerce to entice a minor. Drechsel was in the federal prison in downtown Philadelphia as of 2022. He was waiting for his trial. The court has denied him bail multiple times. Additionally, his legal team has been extending the trial date repeatedly. He is awaiting the court's final ruling.
Drew Drechsel fired from 'American Ninja Warrior' Season 11
Besides winning Season 11 of 'American Ninja Warrior', Drechsel has also served as a mentor on 'American Ninja Warrior Junior', a spinoff show featuring children aged 9-14 as competitors. However, after Drechsel's accusations made headlines, the producers and directors of the NBC show were shocked and disturbed. The NBC network instantly cut all ties with Drechsel. The 'American Ninja Warrior' Season 11 winner's appearance on Season 12 of the show was re-edited.
'American Ninja Warrior' Season 15 is scheduled to release on June 5 at 8 pm ET on NBC. You can catch the new episodes on Peacock the next day.
