Former 'American Ninja Warrior' Champion Convicted of Pornography and Child Exploitation

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. (WKRC) – A former “American Ninja Warrior” champion has been convicted of child pornography and exploitation.

According to The New York PostAndrew Dreschsel, 35, was sentenced to more than ten years in prison for child exploitation after having a sexual relationship with a minor for several years. According to the publication, Dreschsel will have to serve an additional 15 years of supervised release and pay the victim $100,000 in restitution, a New Jersey judge ruled Wednesday.

Dreschsel pleaded guilty on June 1 to the following charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey:

• Receiving child pornography
• Knowingly enticing and coercing a minor to travel interstate for sexual intercourse

According to The post officethe victim, a New Jersey resident, came forward in 2019, saying she met Dreschsel at a 2014 parkour event attended by several “American Ninja Warrior” contestants. She was just 14 at the time, according to The post officeciting a criminal complaint.

For the victim's 15th birthday in 2015, Dreschsel invited the minor to his gym in Hamden, Connecticut, and sexually abused her after his girlfriend left, the girl told authorities, according to The post office.

The victim and Dreschsel remained in contact for two years, with the girl telling police that she and Dreschsel had sex on several occasions in New Jersey when she was between the ages of 15 and 17, according to the publication.

By The post officeOn November 8, 2019, authorities searched one of the suspect's phones and discovered child sexual abuse images in the form of photos and videos of the victim.

Dreschsel appeared on eight seasons of the show “American Ninja Warrior” and earned $1 million. NBC confirmed it would cut all ties with Dreschsel following his arrest.