OBSTACLE COURSE
Why was American Ninja Warrior star Drew Drechsel arrested?
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But who is Drechsel and why was he arrested?
Who is Drew Drechsel?
Andrew "Drew" Drechsel was the American Ninja Warrior champion in 2019; he is also a gym owner and a trainer.
Born on January 6, 1989, in Coral Springs, — a suburban town 20 miles north of Fort Lauderdale
Drew competed on American Ninja Warrior, a show presented by Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila on NBC, and won a $1 million prize.
He later became a trainer at New Era Ninja gym in Hamden, with his girlfriend April Beckner.
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Why was he arrested?
Drechsel, prosecutors say.
Drew was arrested on Tuesday at his home in Saint Cloud, Florida and faces a host of criminal charges, including manufacturing child pornography.
The 31-year-old "sought to have sex" with the teen and "traveled to New Jersey with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct,"; the said in a press release.
The alleged victim told detectives in June 2019 that she started having sex Dreschel in 2015 when she was just 15 years old and he was 26, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the .
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They first met and exchanged phone numbers at a 2014 event attended by several American Ninja Warrior contestants, the complaint says.
As a 15th birthday present, Dreschel allegedly invited the girl to his Connecticut gym, where they had sex after his girlfriend left the building, court documents say.
The teen told her mother about the encounter the next day, prompting the mom to confront Dreschel.
Dreschel didn't deny sleeping with the teen, but instead claimed he didn't know her age, according to the complaint.
What is American Ninja Warrior?
American Ninja Warrior (ANW) is sports entertainment competition based on the Japanese television series Sasuke.
Tough competitors attempt to complete a series of obstacle courses of increasing difficulty in cities across .
The competitors hope to advance to the national finals on the Strip and becoming the season's "American Ninja Warrior."
Drew earned the title of "American Ninja Warrior" after successfully completing all four stages in the series' national finals in 2019.
Dreschel is now awaiting transfer to New Jersey after he appeared for the first time in court before a federal judge in Florida.
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Has Drechsel spoken out about the arrest?
Drechsel's lawyer, Frank Riccio, released in a via Twitter on Tuesday.
"Mr. Drechsel is presumed innocent of the charges and that presumption will remain throughout the pendency of his case," Riccio said.
"He intends on entering a 'not guilty' plea. It is respectfully requested that you respect the privacy of Mr. Drechsel and his family."
What is Drew Drechsel's net worth?
According to , Drew is worth approximately $1 million. Drechsler disputes the $1 million worth and his claims he is worth $2m.
He has amassed a great earning through his professional career as a Ninja Warrior.
Drew also has his own gym in Connecticut and receives money through endorsement deals.
The site states that he earns about $600 per one Instagram ads post.
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Is Drechsel married?
Drew and his girlfriend April Beckner, who he runs the gym with, welcomed a son last December.
The baby was born just past midnight on Monday, December 1, 2019.
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His baby boy's name is Kade Korey Kade Drechsel.
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Baby Korey weighed 8lbs 5oz.
He is named after Drew’s good friend, Korey Sarvas, according to .
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