Latest news with #Droese
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Time of India
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 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 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 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 former wrestler's next court appearance is scheduled for May 28. If convicted, he could potentially face between two to four years in 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 investigation continues as authorities process the case, with Droese currently out on bail awaiting his court date.
Sunday World
07-05-2025
- Sunday World
Ex-WWE star arrested for trying to buy child abuse material on dark web
He tried to use cryptocurrency to make the purchase, but the transaction was blocked and flagged to the FBI Ex-WWE star Michael Droese has been arrested for trying to purchase child sexual abuse material. Droese, a former wrestler known as Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese during his career at the wrestling promotion from 1994 to 1996, was indicted by a Tennessee grand jury on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class D felony. Prosecutors allege he tried to buy child sexual abuse material on the dark web in April 2024. The 56-year-old tried to use cryptocurrency to make the purchase, but the transaction was flagged and blocked by Coinbase who then alerted the FBI. The tip was passed to local authorities in Warren County, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was brought in to assist with the inquiry. Droese turned himself in to police and was booked, and later released after posting a $10,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Warren County Circuit Court on May 28 for arraignment. If convicted, he faces a sentence of two to four years in prison. At the time of the alleged offence, Droese was employed as a DUI coordinator with the 31st Judicial District Adult Recovery Court Program where he held numerous roles over the years. District Attorney General Chris Stanford confirmed he did not work directly with children, and was fired from his job immediately. Stanford said that the charge is classified as aggravated due to Droese's intent to purchase child sexual abuse material. Michael Droese aka Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese mugshot The News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, 7th of May 'The financial transaction is what fuels the production and distribution of such material globally, making this a particularly serious offense,' he said. A 2009 article by the WWE revealed that the California man had changed careers and became a school teacher for kids with learning disabilities and began coaching high school athletes. He resigned from his role in 2013 after he was caught selling oxycodone to an undercover agent and given a one-month prison sentence. Drose was a popular WWE star in the 90s, developing on-screen rivalries with figures such as Jerry 'The King' Lawler and Paul 'Triple H' Levesque. He left the WWE in 1996 but continued to wrestle in smaller promotions internationally.
Metro
07-05-2025
- Metro
Former WWE star arrested for 'attempted sexual exploitation of a minor'
Former WWE wrestler Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese is facing a charge of attempt sexual exploitation of a minor. The 56-year-old retired star – whose real name is Michael Droese – has been indicted by a Tennessee grand jury after allegedly attempting to buy 'child sexual assault material' in 2024. He's accused of attempting to purchase the material using his Coinbase account on the dark web. The transaction was flagged by the company and terminated, and the FBI was made aware of the allegations, according to District Attorney General Chris Stanford. In a press release on Monday, he explained: 'This charge became aggravated because Mr. Droese intended to purchase the child sexual assault material. '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.' It's alleged Droese – who previously worked as an elementary school teacher for students with learning disabilities and trained high school athletes – tried to purchase the material on April 21, 2024. In March, the FBI passed on the claims to Warren County Sheriff's Department investigator Jason Walker. A local investigation was launched, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was brought in to help. During the May 2025 session, a grand jury handed down an indictment, and Droese turned himself into the sheriff's department. He was released after posting $10,000 bond, but is due back in Warren County Circuit Court for an arraignment hearing on May 28. If convicted, the wrestler could face two to four years in prison. Droese – who worked for WWE between 1993 and 996 – resigned from his teaching job in 2013 after being caught selling oxycodone to an undercover agent, and he was sentence to a month behind bars. Recently, the wrestler was working for the 31st Judicial District Adult Recovery Court Program – which is also referred to as 'Drug Court' – as a DUI coordinator. He also spent several years working for the ARC programme in 'various' roles, but Stanford added in the press release that he didn't work with children during this period, and he has been fired from the job effective immediately. More Trending After leaving WWE in 1996, Droese started wrestling on the independent scene in the US and Europe. He returned to WWE as part of the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17 in 2001, which marked his final appearance for the company. View More » Since then, he has made just four in-ring appearances, with the most recent coming in 2023 when he was part of MLW's Battle Riot V match, which featuring the likes of Gene Snitsky and current WWE United States Champion Jacob Fatu. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Aimee Lou Wood reveals truth behind crying pictures after 'mean' SNL skit MORE: The Sopranos star Charley Scalies dies aged 84 after Alzheimer's diagnosis MORE: Distraught TV fans vow to 'start petition' after Hollywood star's crime drama is axed
New York Post
06-05-2025
- New York Post
Ex-WWE star Duke Droese arrested after allegedly trying to buy child porn
A former WWE wrestler was indicted by a Tennessee grand jury after he allegedly attempted to purchase child pornography last year, according to prosecutors. Michael Droese, known as Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese during his WWE days from 1994-96, is facing one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor — a class D felony — after the FBI was tipped off to allegations. 'This charge became aggravated because Mr. Droese intended to purchase the child sexual assault material,' said Chris Stanford, the District Attorney General of the 31st Judicial District in Tennessee, in a release on Monday. '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.' Advertisement Droese, 56, allegedly attempted to purchase child pornography from the dark web using his Coinbase account on April 21, 2024, which was flagged by the company, and the transaction was terminated, Stanford said. 5 Michael Droese was indicted by a grand jury. Warren County Sheriff's Department Coinbase notified the FBI, which passed along the tip to Warren County Sheriff's Department investigator Jason Walker in March, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was then quickly brought in to assist the local investigation. Advertisement 5 Undated image of Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese in the ring with Bret Hart. WWF A grand jury handed down an indictment during the May 2025 session, and Droese turned himself in to the Warren County Sheriff's Department. He was booked and released after posting $10,000 bond. He is due back in Warren County Circuit Court on May 28 for an arraignment hearing as he faces a possible sentence of two to four years if convicted. The release also noted that Droese had been working as a DUI coordinator for the 31st Judicial District Adult Recovery Court Program — also known as 'Drug Court' — and worked for the ARC program in 'various capacities' over several years. Advertisement He did not work with any children during his time working with the program, and he has been terminated from the position effective immediately, Stanford added. 5 1994 image of Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese. via Duke "The Dumpster" Droese/Facebook An article published by the WWE website in 2009 indicated that after Droese settled in Tennessee following his wrestling career, he became an elementary school teacher for students with learning disabilities. He also said, at the time, that he was training high school athletes. Advertisement In 2013, however, he resigned from his teaching job after selling oxycodone to an undercover agent. He was sentenced to a month in jail, the Southern Standard reported at the time. Droese had become a familiar face to wrestling fans during the early '90s and developed a rivalry with Jerry 'The King' Lawler, which included a moment where Lawler hit Droese in the head with his own garbage can, which prompted the WWE to apologize. 5 Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese in 2019. Duke "The Dumpster" Droese/Facebook 5 Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese in 2020. Duke "The Dumpster" Droese/Facebook He also developed an early rivalry with a then-young Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, who now serves as WWE's chief content officer. Drose left WWE in 1996 and continued to perform in smaller promotions around the world off and on.
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Former WWE star arrested after ‘trying to buy child sex assault images on the dark web'
He could face years in jail SHOCK PROBE Former WWE star arrested after 'trying to buy child sex assault images on the dark web' FORMER WWE star Duke Droese has been arrested after allegedly trying to buy indecent images of children on the dark web. The wrestler, who was known as "The Dumpster" due to him bringing a trash can to the ring, was involved in Royal Rumbles in the mid 90s. 2 Former WWE ace Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese has been arrested for trying to buying indecent images of kids Credit: Warren County Sheriffs Dept 2 He was part of WWE in the mid-90s Credit: WWE He was part of the WWE for two years, becoming the first man to defeat legend Triple H. But the 56-year-old, whose real name is Michael Droese, has now been indicted on one count of attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. Reports suggest he tried to purchase the indecent material using cryptocurrency. But Coinbase intercepted and flagged it to the FBI. District Attorney General Chris Stanford of the 31st Judicial District of Tennessee said in a statement: "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." Droese has since been released on bail. And he could supposedly face two to four years in jail. Despite leaving WWE in 1996, he did return for WrestleMania 17 in 2001. He was last in the ring two years ago as part of Major League Wrestling.
