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.
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.
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.
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