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Fuquay-Varina gym employee charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

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An employee of a ninja training studio in Fuquay-Varina appeared in court Wednesday for allegedly recording a sex video with a 17-year-old.

Josh Auer is charged with second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. If convicted, he faces up to seven years and four months in prison.

WRAL News attempted to speak to Auer after the hearing on Wednesday, but his attorney, Chris Detwiler, declined.

“Josh is a hardworking and intelligent 18-year-old who poses no threat to the community,” Detwiler wrote in a statement. “We have fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.”

“The allegations in this case relate to a video of a consensual sexual encounter between Josh and a 17-year-old … There are no allegations that the video was inappropriately distributed to anyone other than the parties involved. We look forward to working with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office to resolve this case in an acceptable and timely manner.”

According to state law, someone commits the crime of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree if at least one of the following two things occurs:
  • The person records, photographs, films, develops or duplicates material that contains a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexual activity
  • Or if the person distributes, transports, displays, receives, sells, purchases, exchanges or solicits material that contains a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexual activity

Auer’s father owns Rock Solid Warrior, a gym in Fuquay-Varina. His father accompanied him to court on Wednesday.

WRAL News went to the gym on Wednesday to ask for comment but did not receive a response.

Auer’s charges would normally prohibit him from having contact with minors under the age of 18. However, after speaking with the assistant district attorney and defense attorney, Judge Mark Stevens changed that decision.

“I will remove provisions that require him not to have contact with anyone under the age of 18 without adult supervision,” Stevens said.

WRAL News asked Detwiler and Rock Solid Warrior if Auer would be allowed to continue working at the gym while that case was being heard, but did not receive a response. Rock Solid Warrior’s website says Auer began training other children in late 2018.

Auer must appear in court again on August 7.

WRAL News interviewed Auer in September 2022 due to his prominence in Ninja Warrior competitions. The Auer family won $20,000 after taking home the top prize on “American Ninja Warrior,” a sports entertainment show in which contestants complete a series of intense obstacle courses.

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