Photo: 31st Judicial District In Tennessee
Former WWE wrestler Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese was indicted on one count of attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a press release issued by Chris Stanford, District Attorney General, 31st Judicial District in Tennessee, which as obtained by PWInsider on Monday (May 5).
Droese, 56, whose real name is Mike Droese, reportedly used a Coinbase account to purchase child sexual assault material from the Dark Web, a transaction that was flagged and terminated, while Coinbase contacting the FBI about the incident.
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation initially received the tip from Coinbase regarding Mr. Droese’s attempted purchase of child sexual assault material,” Stanford said in the statement obtained by 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.”
Droese eventually turned himself in to the Warren County Sheriff's Department but was bonded out ahead of an arraignment scheduled for May 28. The former pro wrestler was signed to WWE from 1994 to 1996, competing under a garbage man gimmick and last appeared in a match during the MLW Battle Riot event in 2023.