Former “American Ninja Warrior” Champion Drew Drechsel Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Sex Crimes

The TV competitor was arrested in August 2020 after having a sexual relationship with a teenage victim he met in 2014

Former American Ninja Warrior winner Andrew 'Drew' Drechsel has been sentenced to just over 10 years in prison after being charged with multiple child sex crimes.

As previously reported by PEOPLE, Drechsel, 35, was arrested at his home in Florida in August 2020, after beginning a sexual relationship with a teenage girl in 2014 after they met at an event.

On Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the United States Attorney's Office District of New Jersey confirmed in a press release that Drechsel — who won season 11 of the NBC competition show in 2019 — had been sentenced to 121 months in jail for receiving child pornography and enticement to travel for illicit sexual conduct.

The disgraced TV star, of Saint Cloud, Florida, "pleaded guilty on June 1, 2023, before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb to an information charging him with 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 for which the defendant can be charged with a crime," the Attorney's Office said in the release.

Related: American Ninja Warrior Winner Drew Drechsel Charged with Child Sex Crimes

Chief U.S. District Judge Renée M. Bumb then imposed the sentence in Camden federal court on June 26.

"In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Drechsel to 15 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim," the release added.

The Attorney's Office said that the former TV personality lived in Hamden, Connecticut from 2014 until Nov. 8, 2019, while his victim — who was "14 and 15 years old" when they had the sexual relationship — lived in New Jersey.

After law enforcement agents searched one of Drechsel's phones on Nov. 8, 2019, they found images of child sexual abuse and photos and videos of the victim.

Related: 'American Ninja Warrior' Names Second-Ever Million-Dollar Winner in Season Finale – Watch

"Drechsel admitted that he originally met the victim in 2014 through his activities in the parkour community as an American Ninja Warrior," the release stated.

"Drechsel admitted texting the victim and discussing his plans to engage in sexual activity with the victim. At Drechsel's urging, the victim traveled across state lines in July 2015 so that Drechsel could have sexual relations with the victim," the Attorney's Office added.

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NBC didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.

When the charges were filed in 2020, NBC said they were "shocked and disturbed" in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “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," the statement at the time read.

"Moving forward, the American Ninja Warrior brand will sever all ties with Mr. Drechsel, including his appearance on future seasons of the show,” NBC added in their statement.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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