American Ninja Warrior bosses have cut ties with last year’s winner Drew Drechsel following his arrest on federal child sex-related charges.
NBCUniversal and producer A. Smith & Co released a statement on Wednesday which read: “We are shocked and disturbed to learn about the charges alleged against Drew Drechsel.
“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.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of New Jersey, Drechsel, who won the last season of the show, was arrested in his Florida home.
The office’s official press release stated that Drechsel, 31, traveled to New Jersey to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
Drechsel also reportedly encouraged the girl to send him inappropriate pictures of herself.
He is being charged with manufacture of child pornography, enticement of a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct, among other crimes.
Official documents say that Drechsel met his victim in 2014 at an event also attended by other American Ninja Warrior contestants.
The two are said to have exchanged phone numbers and began texting each other.
Drechsel reportedly invited the girl, who was 15 at the time, to his Connecticut gym where they engaged in sexual behaviour, the report details.
When the girl’s mother spoke to Drechsel about the incident, the report stated that the American Ninja Warrior star, who was then 26, “did not deny the sexual activity, but rather stated he did not know her age at the time.”
Drechsel and the girl reportedly continued to meet multiple times after 2014. They continued speaking with each other until June 2019.
Dreschel’s lawyer Frank J. Riccio II posted a statement on Twitter on behalf of him: “Mr. Drechsel is presumed innocent of the charges and that presumption will remain throughout the pendency of his case.
“He intends on entering a ‘not guilty’ plea,” the lawyer wrote. “It is respectfully requested that you respect the privacy of Mr. Drechsel and his family.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
