Former WWE superstar facing child pornography charge
Article content
Former WWE wrestler Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese was indicted earlier this week by a Tennessee grand jury after allegedly attempting to purchase child pornography in 2024.
Article content
Article content
The retired professional wrestler, whose real name is Michael Droese, faces one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor.
Article content
The indictment was announced Monday in a press release by Chris Stanford, a state district attorney general.
Article content
'This charge became aggravated because Mr. Droese intended to purchase the child sexual assault material,' Stanford alleged in the release. 'Purchasing child sexual assault material is an aggravated crime because the money used to purchase the material is what continues to make child sexual assault material profitable for criminal enterprises that produce it and sell across the world.'
Article content
Article content
The press release alleged that Droese attempted to buy child pornography on the dark web by using a cryptocurrency account on April 21, 2024. Coinbase terminated the purchase and flagged it in the process.
Article content
After the FBI was alerted of the alleged attempted purchase by Droese, it notifiied the Warren County Sheriff's Department. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisted the Sheriff's Department, eventually bringing in Droese.
Article content
Droese surrendered after the grand jury indicted him and was booked at the Warren County Sheriff's Department. He was released after posting $10,000 bond.
Article content
It was noted in the press release that Droese had been working with an adult recovery court program, which also is referred to as 'Drug Court.'
Article content
Article content
He was a DUI coordinator there, while also working for the program in other roles.
Article content
Article content
Stanford said that Droese did not work with any children during his time with the program – but the former wrestler does reportedly have a history as a teacher.
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Two people dead in 'political assassination' in Minnesota
Authorities provided an update on a 'political assassination' that left a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband dead.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Sudbury smelter spill, molten material leak contained
Fire officials said the furnace leak occurred shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday. Although the spill was contained, police and fire crews remained on scene to assist. Glencore said the situation was brought under control and an investigation is underway.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: Two lawmakers shot, one killed, in politically targeted shooting
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were shot and killed in their home early Saturday by someone posing as a police officer and a second lawmaker and his wife were wounded in what Gov. Tim Walz described as 'targeted political violence.' Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse were killed in their Brooklyn Park home. The other lawmaker and his wife were shot multiple times in Champlin, authorities said at a news conference. Authorities were actively searching for a suspect in the hours following the shootings. 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' Walz said at a press conference Saturday. 'Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' The wounded lawmaker was identified as state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter and represents a district north of Minneapolis. Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect. Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said. A 'shelter in place' order was in effect early Saturday. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer. 'Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,' he said. Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman's house after an exchange of gunfire with police. The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that 'looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,' Bruley said. President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation. 'Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack 'evil' and said she was 'heartbroken beyond words' by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,' Demuth said in a statement. The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions. GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement. 'My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well,' Giffords said. 'An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.' Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
