'American Ninja Warrior' Champ Drew Drechsel Charged With Child Sex Crimes

American Ninja Warrior champ Drew Drechsel has been charged with sex crimes involving a minor, the U.S. Attorney's Office of the District of New Jersey announced Tuesday. Drechsel, 31, of Saint Cloud, Florida, was charged with the 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, according to authorities. He made his initial court appearance Tuesday.

According to the complaint, Drechsel, the 2019 American Ninja Warrior champion allegedly sought to have sex with a female minor and traveled to New Jersey to do so. In addition, Drechsel "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."

Drechsel is accused of having a sexual relationship beginning in 2015 with a then-15-year-old girl ... The first alleged incident took place in his gym. A number of sexual incidents involving the same victim also allegedly took place in New Jersey over a span of years, according to the complaint. The victim filed a police report in June 2019.

NBC said in a statement Wednesday Drechsel had been dropped from the show. “We are shocked and disturbed to learn about the charges alleged against Drew Drechsel," reads the statement. "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. Moving forward, the American Ninja Warrior brand will sever all ties with Mr. Drechsel, including his appearance on future seasons of the show.”

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