Former WWE star Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese arrested for attempted purchase of child pornography

Former WWE wrestler Michael Droese, known as Duke "The Dumpster" Droese, was arrested in Warren County, Tennessee, after allegedly attempting to purchase child pornography on the dark web using cryptocurrency. The 56-year-old wrestler's transaction was intercepted by Coinbase, which alerted the FBI, leading to his arrest and indictment on charges of attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of children in May 2025.Droese's attempt to purchase child pornography was thwarted when Coinbase recognized and declined the payment, promptly sending a tip to the FBI. The federal agency then notified the Warren County Sheriff's Department on March 29, initiating an investigation within days.The former WWE star was subsequently booked and released after posting a $10,000 bond. His charges are classified as "attempted" since the transaction was never completed.District Attorney General Chris Stanford of the 31st Judicial District of Tennessee provided detailed context about the charges: "Purchasing child sexual assault material is an aggravated crime. The money used to purchase the material is what continues to make child sexual assault material profitable for criminal enterprises produce it and sell it across the world. However, because Mr Droese was unsuccessful in securing the child sexual assault material he intended to purchase, the charge becomes a Criminal Attempt. Thus, the decision was made to charge one count of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor."At the time of his arrest, Droese held the position of DUI Coordinator for the 31st Judicial District Adult Recovery Court Program, where he had served in various capacities for several years. Following the indictment, he was terminated from his position.The former wrestler's next court appearance is scheduled for May 28. If convicted, he could potentially face between two to four years in prison.Droese had a notable career in WWE during the mid-1990s, where he performed under the moniker "The Dumpster," characterized by bringing a trash can to the ring. He achieved recognition as the first wrestler to defeat the legendary Triple H.His wrestling career with WWE spanned two years, concluding in 1996. However, he made a return appearance at WrestleMania 17 in 2001. His most recent wrestling performance was with Major League Wrestling two years ago.The investigation continues as authorities process the case, with Droese currently out on bail awaiting his court date.