‘American Ninja Warrior’ From Hamden Sentenced For Child Exploitation: Feds

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

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

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 NBC program's Season 11 championship. He was also a mentor on "American Ninja Warrior Junior," a spinoff show in which children ages 9-14 competed.

The victim lived in New Jersey.

“On Nov. 8, 2019, law enforcement agents searched one of Drechsel’s phones and found images of child sexual abuse, including photos and videos of the victim when the victim was 14 and 15 years old,” officials wrote in a news release. “Drechsel admitted that he originally met the victim in 2014 through his activities in the parkour community as an ‘American Ninja Warrior.’ 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.”

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