American Ninja Warrior from Hamden convicted of child exploitation

HAMDEN, CT — A former Hamden man and “American Ninja Warrior” winner has been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation crimes, officials say.

Andrew Drechsel, 35, of St. Cloud, Fla., was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years and 1 month in prison for receiving child pornography and enticing a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

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Drechsel pleaded guilty in June 2023 to 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.

Dreschel, who lived in Hamden from 2014 to Nov. 8, 2019, rose to prominence on “American Ninja Warrior,” winning the season 11 championship of the NBC program. He also served as a mentor on “American Ninja Warrior Junior,” a spinoff show in which children ages 9 to 14 competed.

The victim lived in New Jersey.

“On November 8, 2019, law enforcement searched one of Drechsel's phones and found images of child sexual abuse, including photos and videos of the victim when she was 14 and 15 years,” officials wrote in a press release. “Drechsel admitted to first meeting the victim in 2014 through his activities in the parkour community as an “American Ninja Warrior.” Drechsel admitted to texting the victim and discussing his plans to engage in sexual activity with the victim. At Drechsel’s request, the victim crossed state lines in July 2015 so that Drechsel could have sex with the victim.”

Dreschel, who was arrested in July 2020, was also sentenced to 15 years of supervised release following his prison term. He was also ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim, according to authorities.