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Former WWE star arrested after ‘trying to buy child sex assault images on the dark web'

Former WWE star arrested after ‘trying to buy child sex assault images on the dark web'

Scottish Sun06-05-2025
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.
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Former WWE ace Duke 'The Dumpster' Droese has been arrested for trying to buying indecent images of kids
Credit: Warren County Sheriffs Dept
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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.
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