American Ninja Warrior champion Drew Drechsel—who was edited out of season 12 of the NBC competition after being charged with sex offenses that could have lead to life in prison—has plead guilty to two felonies, and was finally sentenced on June 27, 2024.
That’s according to U.S. court records obtained by reality blurred that you can read below.
The charges came from a U.S. Attorney who claimed Drew met a young fan at an event, and later invited her to his gym, where they had sex when she was 15 and he was 26.
Drew is currently being held at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate locator.
Last year, I talked to ANW showrunner Anthony Storm, asking if Drew’s arrest affected the show’s production, and he told me, “We’re a little bit more rigorous in the way that we evaluate our athletes. That said, you’re talking about an individual and not someone that is representative of the community. I think it’s extremely unfortunate that Drew did use his celebrity in that way.”
What Drew Drechsel was charged with
In 2020, after an FBI investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, accused him of the following:
“Drechsel sought to have sex with a minor girl and traveled to New Jersey with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with that minor. He also enticed and coerced a minor to travel to Connecticut to engage in illicit sexual conduct and engaged in online sexual communications with a minor and induced her to manufacture sexually explicit images of herself and send them to Drechsel.
He was charged “with manufacture 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.”
The full complaint said the victim:
first met DRECHSEL in person in 2014, after an event attended by numerous contestants in the television program, “American Ninja Warrior.” DRECHSEL and Victim 1 exchanged telephone numbers and began communicating with one another via text message. Their text message communications continued until June 2019.
[…]
On or about July 6, 2015, Victim 1, then 15 years old, and DRECHSEL exchanged a text message conversation regarding Victim 1’s upcoming visit to DRECHSEL’s gym, “Ninja Gym” located at the New Era Gymnastics facility in Hamden, Connecticut. At the time, Victim 1 was a resident of New Jersey. During the text exchange they also described plans for sexual activity, including Victim 1 preforming oral sex on DRECHSEL.
It goes on to say that they had sex behind the warped wall in his gym, and that when confronted by the victim’s mother, Drew acknowledged having sex but said he did not know her age. They continued to meet for sex, and she sent explicit photographs and performed sexually over Skype for Drew.
June 2023 updates in Drew Drechsel’s case
On June 1, 2023, Drew signed a Waiver of An Indictment, which says:
“I understand that I have been accused of one or more offenses punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. I was advised in open court of my rights and the nature of the proposed charges against me.
After receiving this advice, I waive my right to prosecution by indictment and consent to prosecution by information.”
As part of that, Drew entered a plea of guilty on counts one and two.
- Count 1 is the “Receipt Child Pornography” between March 2015 and December 2016, and carries a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, plus a maximum of a $250,000 fine
- Count 2 is “Enticement to Travel for Illicit Sexual Conduct” between January 2015 and April 2016, and carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
On a form titled Application for Permission to Enter Plea of Guilty, filed June 1, 2023, with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Drew wrote, in his own handwriting, that he:
“received child pornography and enticed an individual to travel across state lines for sex.”
Drew also agrees to register as a sex offender upon release from prison, and forfeit 15 electronic devices “used in the commission of the offense,” which include seven computers and eight cell phones.
Sentencing is set for Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. in Camden, New Jersey, and he was “remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal,” according to court records.
A letter from the office of United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Philip Sellinger, says the prison sentences “may run consecutively to each other,” meaning Drew could face 60 years in prison. Previously, he faced life in prison.
Sentencing updates
Update, Oct. 30, 2023: The sentencing date has passed and there’s been no update to his public case records as of today.
Update, Jan. 19, 2024: Sentencing has been rescheduled for Jan. 24, 2024, at 11 a.m. in Camden, New Jersey, with Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez presiding. That notice was added to court records on Dec. 6, 2023.
Update, Jan. 27: On Jan. 24, sentencing was postponed to March 6, 2024, at 11 a.m.
Update, March 9: On Jan. 31, sentencing was postponed to April 10, 2024.
Update, April 9: Sentencing was postponed to April 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. On April 9, the case was reassigned to a new judge. A letter from the Department of Justice dated March 29 requested the court allow a therapy dog, as “Victim-1 may attend and seek to speak at the hearing,” as may others.
Update, April 10: Sentencing was postponed to May 9, 2024, at 11 a.m.
Update, May 7: On April 18, the U.S. Attorney’s office saying that, “After consulting with defense counsel, Victim-1, the victim support personnel from our Office as well as from the FBI, and the FBI’s crisis response canine handler—and after considering each of their schedules—the Government requests that the Court reschedule the sentencing.”
On April 26, the judge set sentencing for June 26.
Sentencing took place June 26, and Drew Drechsel was sentenced to 121 months—just over 10 years—in federal prison, plus “15 years of supervised release and … $100,000 in restitution to the victim,” according to the Department of Justice.
Drew Drechsel’s plea agreement
Below, you can read Drechsel’s plea agreement letter, the document that details the counts that he’s pleading guilty to, and his application to enter a guilty plea.
Thanks for posting this! I just read the agreement and it sounds like both sides are expecting a sentence of 8-10 years. Because it was not a violent crime he would be eligible for parole after serving one third of his sentence. So he’d be eligible very soon because it has been almost 3 years since his arrest and pre trial custody counts.
I believe felony offenders are required to serve 9 months post-sentencing even if they have had long pre-trial custody. So even if he is sentenced to only 8 years, (thus having already served 1/3 of his sentence), I think he still has to serve 9 months post sentencing.
So tl;dr sounds like he could be out March 2024. Pretty light sentence considering the potential sentences being talked about in the news. The prosecutors say they will pass his plea on to other courts (like Federal, which could charge him on production of child pornography but likely won’t due to the plea deal) so, yup, it sounds like he’s almost good to go.
@NinjaWarriorCanada, I believe if convicted of a Federal Crime you have to serve 2/3 of your sentence. Personally I hope Drew is locked up for several more y ears, he is a predator & should not get away with just a slap on the wrist. Lock him up for 10-15 years where he has to spend another 10 in jail….
Drew was a tremendous success on ANW… I dont know, if they would touch him at this point. Drew came from a used car lot…he may well find himself back there. Tragedy for everyone….all around…. I hope he can get help.
@R.J., I could care less about him. I hope his victim is ok.
Totally agree with Jodi. Drew is the adult in this story, he knew what he was getting into. He could have aimed for a 21 year old + woman instead. He CHOSE to seduce a 16 year-old child. There is no excuse. Sexual contact of any kind with a minor is a CRIME. It leaves scars and shame on the kid (and future adult) forever. It’s not just about sex; it’s about being lured, groomed, lied to and manipulated for physical pleasure – when, as a child, you are built to trust adults to love you and care for you. It’s the ultimate betrayal. Let’s hope it teaches a lesson to everyone thinking about doing the same.
@Jodi,
I think the ANW needs to stop referring to the GIRLS (KIDS) and WOMEN, I have been here that all season this year 2023… I agree that no one should be stalking kids and it is his fault if he never asked her age…But do we know if she really told him her age? Where was her parents when she traveled? Others are somewhat responsible as well.
Even if he did not know : he continued to have contact with the girl after being confronted by her mother. He has no excuse.
@Kiki, take it from someone who was there. She was not his only victim and yes, he was very aware of her age (he listed it in his phone under his contacts).
If you don’t know the whole story, don’t blame others for such an immoral act. He’s a grown man.
I’m so confused. So they had a 5 year relationship? And if they met when she was 14 years old at an event, then her parents were aware and helped transport her? And only after the relationship ended did she decide to press charges? I’d like to know more details, especially pertaining to the timeline, and if there are other victims, because this is almost sounding like a lover scorned. I grew up in the 80’s so, to me, dating an older guy when you were in high school wasn’t unusual. Even though it is, technically, against the law. Did Drew choose to end this affair to be with the mother of his child? Was this girl and her mother so incredibly vengeful?
@Laura, you are part of the problem.
@jodi
that’s not fair to say Laura is part of the problem. She admits at the beginning of her post that she was confused. Then she went on to say what happened in the 80:s. I don’t see how you can blame her for anything.
@Laura, Details….she was a child Drew an adult grown man…end of story. He is a predator, and she wasn’t his only victim. He used his gym and his fame to lure young teenage girls into having sex with him, he is nothing but pure scum & exploited & used for his own gain. Lock him up for another 10-20 years….
@Laura, I was thinking the same thing about the timeline. You made some interesting points too.
@Laura, I totally agree. I worked at Child Protective Services for 3.5 years as the paralegal to the prosecutor child sex crimes. TRUE pedophiles (raping infant-10 year old children) don’t get even NEAR this time when convicted. 2 years tops typically. This was CLEARLY consensual for a long time. AND the mother knew about the sex behind the warped wall and let them continue to see each other? And years later pressed charges? Fishy. As someone who worked on plenty of these cases, we would not pursue this case because the judge/jury would likely see it as revenge. Not to say that he is ANYWHERE above reproach—he should DEFINITELY be a registered sex offender, but consensual sex is simply not the same as raping pre-pubescent babies/children, and the sentencing should reflect that.
@Laura, After multiple years, all of this spilled into public right after he won the biggest prize in the competition he was known for. The timing could be a coincidence, but it does raise questions…
@Laura, i had the same questions. The mother knew for years. She traveld with her daughter on many occasions (and yes that was stated in interviews with them) and did not sue him until after he won the million dollars. I am not saying he did nothing wrong! However, don’t you think the mother has faults in this as well? The second he found out the girl was underaged he should have gotten himself out of that whole situation! I also remember at 15 i was always saying i was 16 or 17.
@Laura, read the initial filing. Also, she wasn’t his only victim. Did you forget about the child porn?
You’re part of the reason girls don’t come forward. Shame on you.
@AK. Shame on Laura?? How could she dare make statements about HER beliefs. How dare YOU for accusing someone for making comments. And they have a point about the charges made right after he won the million!! He is definitely guilty for the. others and the pornography but why was the mother not charged for abling the relationship??? She apparently knew about the relationship!! Was she after part of that million? He deserved what he got but mommy dearest is guilty too!!
@AK, the child porn charge seems to stem from the underaged victim sending nudes of herself. The law defines this as child porn. It doesn’t mean this guy was running a child porn operation.
Its a terrible thing. Lives ruined. I have wondered about all these young men opening all these gyms for children. I also do not think they should have adults and children competing together as they are now. Lots of opportunity for more of the same to happen. We are not interested in watching 14-16 yr olds compete against 42 yr old men. It’s a cautionary tale and as usual, no one is paying attention. “Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it” George Santayana
Wait?
She sent him a nude shot, and that’s maximum of 40 years.
He brought her across state lines to rape her and that’s a maximum of 20 years?
Does anyone but me think our justice system is focusing on the wrong thing? Shouldn’t rape be much more significant then getting a ‘sext’ from someone?
Hi Andy.
You said: “Sentencing is set for Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. in Camden, New Jersey, and he was “remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal,” according to court records”.
Oct. 24 is over so…can you update about this case?.
Thank you very much and have a nice day.
Hi Carlos. It’s a good question, and I don’t know! I just checked court records, and there’s been no update since the filing of this plea deal. There may have been court action, perhaps a delay or perhaps sentencing, that has not yet been entered. I will absolutely keep following up and update and/or publish a new story once I see something.
@Andy Dehnart, Its been almost a month any updates
Still nothing! No court records updated, and he’s still in custody in the same location, according to the federal inmate locator.
The sentencing was supposed to happen this week. Any updates?
@Norma, postponed several times, now set for June 26.
December 2023.
Are there any news about his records?
Sentencing was rescheduled for today but can’t find any updates online?
It was rescheduled yet again: Now scheduled for April 10. I’ve updated the story above.
@Andy Dehnart, Its April 10th any updates?
Yep, it’s updated above: another delay, but also a signal that the victim(s) will testify, so that may mean it’ll happen as scheduled this time.
Any more updates on Drew Dreschel sentencing. Last I saw it was scheduled for today June 26, 2024.
As of yesterday, the court planned to hold the hearing today, but may not sentence him. Here’s the docket update: