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American Ninja Warrior's Drew Drechsel dubbed 'monster' over child sex case, Internet says 'pedos everywhere'

Drew Drechsel is reportedly being charged with the manufacture of child pornography and enticement of a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct

Drew Drechsel, who was crowned as the second winner of NBC’s athletic competition show 'American Ninja Warrior', was taken into custody on August 4 following accusations of child sex with an underage girl. According to the US Attorney’s Office of the District of New Jersey, he was arrested in his Florida home.

They detailed the events in an official press release which stated that he did "knowingly persuade, induce, entice and coerce an individual that was Victim 1, who had not attained the age of 18 years, to travel in interstate commerce to engage in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense. The 31-year-old traveled to New Jersey to engage in sexual activity with a 15-year-old minor back in 2015." 

As per a Daily Mail report, Drechsel allegedly made arrangements for the girl to visit his gym, the Real Life Ninja Academy, in Hamden, Connecticut, in July 2015 as a present for her 15th birthday and they exchanged text messages about "plans for sexual activity". When she visited the gym, the pair was allegedly intimate after Drechsel's girlfriend, April Beckner, left the premises.

As per reports, a mattress and blanket were laid out behind a wall in his office where he allegedly had sex with the teen. The girl told her mother about the incident after which she confronted him. Reportedly, he "did not deny the sexual activity, but rather stated he did not know her age at the time". However, he contacted the teen again barely weeks later and told her they would not have "time to deal with (victim’s) shyness and timidity". When she said it won't happen again, he told her, "PSH, we’ll see I guess." They stayed in touch with each other until June 2019.

Drechsel is reportedly being charged with the manufacture of child pornography and enticement of a minor to travel for illicit sexual conduct, among other crimes. His lawyer posted a statement on his behalf: "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," he said, adding, "It is respectfully requested that you respect the privacy of Mr Drechsel and his family."

No sooner did the news reach social media, there was fury on the internet. "How can he claim to not know her age when he arranged for her to have her 15th birthday party at his gym???" 

"Seriously. It seems like if you are in the public eye, there’s a high chance of you being a pedo. Do these people think they have a get out of jail card? It’s disgusting," one tweet read.

Another said, "Pervert!! I hope these disturbing news regarding Child Sex trafficking helps sheeple start to think #pizzagatelsreal and they have been fooled."

One Twitter user said, "Sucks when it’s people you would never think in a million years would do something like that. Pedos everywhere." 

Another posted, "F**k this guy. Obvious abuse of his power and fame. This guy is not a hero. He is sick." 

Another said, "I'm flabbergasted. This man, who I considered an inspiration, turns out to be a monster."