Former WWE star Duke “The Dumpster” Droese was indicted on one count of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
District Attorney General of the 31st Judicial District in Tennessee Chris Stanford revealed the news in a statement. Droese — Mike Droese — reportedly used a Coinbase account to attempt to purchase child sexual assault material from the Dark Web. After the transaction was flagged, it was terminated, and Coinbase contacted the FBI.
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation initially received the tip from Coinbase regarding Mr. Droese’s attempted purchase of child sexual assault material,” reads Stanford’s statement (via PWInsider). “It is largely unknown what actions the FBI took to initially investigate this matter. However, on March 19, 2025, Investigator Jason Walker with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department first received a tip from the FBI regarding Mr. Droese’s alleged criminal conduct. Investigator Walker immediately forwarded the information to me. March 19, 2025 also marks the first date any local or state law enforcement official had any knowledge of Mr. Droese’s alleged criminal conduct.”
Stanford goes on to mention that Droese eventually turned himself into the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, and was subsequently booked. Droese was released upon making bond, and his arraignment is set for May 28, 2025.
Droese competed as “The Dumpster” in WWE during the 1990s. He hasn’t wrestled in some time, however, with his last appearance coming during MLW Battle Riot in 2023.
