Warren County, Tenn. — Michael David Droese, a former WWE wrestler known in the ring as Duke “The Dumpster” Droese, has been indicted by a grand jury in Warren County, Tennessee, on a charge of attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to authorities, the 56-year-old allegedly attempted to purchase child sexual abuse material through the dark web using a cryptocurrency transaction. The attempted payment was made via Coinbase, a well-known cryptocurrency exchange platform. Coinbase flagged the transaction as suspicious and declined the payment, subsequently notifying the FBI. That tip led to an investigation conducted jointly by the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.
The indictment was handed down in early May, and Droese was arrested shortly after. He was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear for arraignment on May 28, 2025. If convicted of the Class D felony, he faces a sentence of two to four years in prison.
At the time of his arrest, Droese was employed as a DUI coordinator for the 31st Judicial District’s Adult Recovery Court Program. Officials confirmed he was terminated from his position immediately following the indictment. Droese’s professional background also includes work as an elementary school teacher and high school athletics trainer. In 2013, he resigned from those roles after being arrested for attempting to obtain oxycodone through fraudulent means.
Droese rose to fame in the mid-1990s as a World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) character who portrayed a garbageman turned wrestler. He competed in the organization until 1996 and made a brief return at WrestleMania 17 in 2001. His most recent appearance in the ring was two years ago in Major League Wrestling.
Law enforcement officials have not disclosed whether additional charges may be forthcoming. The investigation remains ongoing.
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