The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced on Tuesday that Drew Drechsel, a winner of American Ninja Warrior, has been arrested and charged with federal crimes involving a minor, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Drechsel, 31, of Saint Cloud, Florida, is charged with enticing a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct, producing child sexual abuse material, traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and using interstate commerce to entice a minor. Prosecutors allege the conduct involved a girl who was 15 years old at the start, beginning in 2015, and say she reported it to police in June of 2019. The charges are allegations, and he has not been convicted of anything.
Drechsel made his first court appearance on Tuesday. His attorney, Frank J. Riccio II, said in a statement shared on Twitter that Drechsel is presumed innocent and plans to enter a not guilty plea.
The case has already reached the show. NBC said on Wednesday that Drechsel, who was set to appear prominently in the upcoming season, has been dropped. In its statement, the network said it was shocked and disturbed by the charges and that the franchise would cut all ties with him, including his appearances on future seasons.
Baller Alert will keep following the case as more information is released by the court.
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