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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Conor McGregor sports suspect eye as UFC thug dances with wife on yacht in first sighting since horror Ibiza attack
CONOR MCGREGOR has broken cover after his 6am Ibiza nightclub punch-up. The UFC star appeared to sport a bruised eye as he soaked up the sun with 9 Conor McGregor appeared to sport a bruised eye as he broke cover following his Ibiza nightclub brawl Credit: BackGrid 9 The 36-year-old packed on the PDA with fiancee Dee Devlin Credit: BackGrid 9 McGregor was all smiles despite his nightclub brawl earlier in the week Credit: BackGrid 9 The UFC star is currently in the Spanish party capital of Ibiza Credit: BackGrid 9 McGregor had not been spotted since the brawl on Tuesday morning Credit: BackGrid 9 Video obtained by The Sun showed McGregor throwing two punches at another partygoer Credit: The Sun McGregor packed on the PDA with Devlin on a private yacht in the Spanish party capital. The pair were spotted dancing the afternoon away and sharing a smooch in the marina. But an apparent red mark could be seen on McGregor's face, who had not been seen the ex-UFC fighter, 36, striking a man in the infamous Pacha nightclub on Tuesday morning. READ MORE ON CONOR MCGREGOR The Notorious appeared to connect with two punches in the shocking incident. An eyewitness told The Sun the reveller was removed from the club while McGregor partied on. One said: "Clearly something's been said to annoy him and he's reacted very badly. 'The guy seemed to fall to the floor, and his mates came to pick him up and get him away. Most read in MMA BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "There [didn't appear to be any] consequences for Conor, but the guy he punched was taken away and I didn't see him again." Another club-goer said: "He had his arm around someone who looked like his mate. Shocking moment UFC thug Conor McGregor pummels club reveller with TWO brutal punches in packed Ibiza nightclub "Someone came up to them and when Conor hit him, about five people fell to the floor as the guy stumbled back. "It was a bit like bowling pins, but the guy was really shaken by the hits. "About a minute later, the bouncers came and got him on the back and took him out of the club, because he had annoyed Conor. "It was right before close anyway. There was no messing around, they just removed him. "Conor left through the garden a bit later, he didn't look very happy that they got into a fight." The reveller's identity was revealed in a now-deleted Instagram post by club mogul Wayne Lineker - brother of England legend Gary. He took two punches from Conor McGregor in Pacha for absolutely no reason. Wayne Lineker McGregor had been snapped earlier in the evening at Lineker's O Beach club alongside . He was also joined at the event by Wayne later said he was "disappointed" with McGregor for attacking his employee and friend Joe Gomez. The 63-year-old wrote: "This is my very close friend who has worked at Ocean for eight years, he has the most special heart and in all of the years that I've known him he has never raised his voice once. "He took two punches from Conor McGregor in Pacha for absolutely no reason. "Let me introduce you to Joe Gooomez (sic). He took the punches like a champion." 9 Wayne Lineker claimed the reveller struck by McGregor was his pal Joe Gomez (right) Credit: INstagram 9 McGregor had partied at Lineker's O Beach Club ahead of the incident Credit: INSTAGRAM @waynelineker 9 McGregor also shared a snap with Katie Price in Ibiza Credit: INSTAGRAM @thenotoriousmma Lineker also deleted a snap of him partying with the MMA legend, who rocked a white hat and cigar for the occasion. He continued: "I've since deleted my post of Conor at Ocean on Sunday. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. "We at Ocean Beach McGregor made his UFC debut in April 2013. He quickly won over fight fans with his mix of fast hands and aggressive grappling. The Notorious has tasted victory in 22 of his 28 pro fights, but hasn't entered the octagon since a rematch loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Iran plots to activate terrorist sleeper cell network across West in desperate last act in face of Israeli destruction
A 'VULNERABLE' IRAN may activate a network of sleeper cells across the West in the face of the Israeli bombing campaign, experts have warned. With its 4 Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Credit: AFP 4 Iran's murderous terrorist wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) 4 A view of the damage is seen after a missile launched from Iran reportedly struck the area on June 15 in retaliation for recent Israeli attacks Credit: Getty It has now been more than a week since The goal, as the Israelis say, is to thwart the Iranian regime's efforts to produce nuclear weapons - as well as more ballistic missiles, including long-range weapons that can strike targets far beyond Israel. While Iran has been responding by launching frequent salvos of ballistic missiles, its top military command has been decapitated. And Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been forced to live in underground bunkers. read more on iran Experts now fear that a vicious Iran could awaken its network of sleeper cells to carry out terror plots across the West. Barak Seener, a security and defence expert at Henry Jackson Society and Iran expert, said: "The very fact now that the Iranian regime is volatile, it's targeted, and it's highly vulnerable — that's what actually makes it increasingly dangerous to the West." Iran's murderous Mr Seener said that these sleeper cells could be regular people living regular lives. Most read in The US Sun But when given the signal, they could carry out terrorist activities targeting the West. These terror operations could target public infrastructure and even civilians, with no weapons off the table, experts warn. Trump is top Iran assassination target - their terror network spreads across Europe & US, warns ex-White House official The sleeper cells could even carry out assassination attempts on top leaders that could throw the world into chaos. Last year, an Iranian agent was charged with plotting to kill Donald Trump in an assassination that would have shaken the world. Prosecutors said an official in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard told Shakeri to devise a plan to eliminate the President elect. They claim the planned hit was an attempt to take vengeance for a Trump's former security advisor, John Bolton, said the from the Middle East nation. Mr Seener said: "They live amongst us in regular communities, have regular jobs, and they just are awaiting being activated to conduct malign activities, whether it be through a telephone text or a beeper, and then they already know what they are going to be doing. "If the regime feels threatened and on the verge of being toppled, then they may say, 'you're going to go down with us,' and at that point they may unleash their sleeper cells." In an "It cannot defeat Israel, but it could go mad and unleash terrorism, even using chemical weapons, which its industries can make much more easily than nuclear weapons." 4 Mr Seener said the attacks could range from an attack against a synagogue, an embassy, or blowing up a dirty bomb in Central London. Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, warned back in October that Iran could turn on UK targets if it felt Britain was too enthusiastic in its support for Israel. He said the attacks could increase if the Middle East conflict intensifies. In August, Matt Jukes, the head of He said Iranian dissidents and diaspora communities have been 'clearly at risk of kidnapping or assassination'. "These are people who are doing it daily. And when you are projecting soft power, you're creating the cultural milieu in which terrorism can be conducted much more readily. Counterterror police have investigated 15 of these cases alongside MI5 has responded to 20 plots backed by Iran since 2022, it was reported. Mr Seener said: "The reason why the Irgc can act with impunity, and why British citizens are at risk, is because of the British Government's unwillingness and failure to designate the Irgc as a terrorist organisation. "It means that they are able to conduct activities and infiltrate mosques, charities, community centres, cultural centres, and many of them, their directorship has been directly appointed by the supreme leader, Khamenei." "British Shias go on pilgrimages to religious sites in Iran and Iraq. They are targeted by the IRGC and recruited, so that when they return to the UK, they can conduct surveillance on potential targets." Iran's terror on UK street By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter Iran-fuelled hit squads on the streets of the UK have been linked to at least 15 threats to kill or kidnap detected by authorities. They are all part of a campaign of intimidation aimed at those who speak out against the hardline regime. The MI5 has accused Tehran of more than a dozen assassination and kidnap plots in Britain against dissidents and media organisations in the past two years. Officials have previously warned that the threat against Iranian critics living in the UK has ramped up drastically after the horror October 7 attacks. And given the hostile situation in the Middle East, Iran could ramp up its secret terror activities in the UK, Europe and the US, experts fear. In 2022, Major Gen Hossein Salami, the Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC warned: "You've tried us before. Watch out because we're coming for you." Last year, Iranian TV journalist Pouria Zeraati was The suspects were believed to be proxy agents hired by Tehran. Mr Zeraati works for He said a man approached him and asked for £3 before another man appeared and stabbed him in the leg. The two fled in a car being driven by a third man, leaving Mr Zeraati bleeding in the street. Investigators believed the three culprits were able to flee the country on a flight from Mr Zeraati, whose organisation has been a vocal critic of Iran, said the attack was a "warning shot" from Tehran. He called on the UK government to declare the IRGC a terrorist group to stop it from spreading its doctrine. He said: "It will also send a clear message to the regime in Iran that enough is enough. "The whole of Western civilisation is in danger because of the threat the IRGC poses." A report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) found almost half of journalists who covered Iran from the UK reported being physically or verbally harassed in the past five years. Individuals have been sent death threats by text and voice notes, with one message noting that the 'water underneath Westminster Bridge was very deep'. One said they were constantly worried about Iran targeting their children, saying: 'I wake up in the middle of the night. I check my son to see if he's there. I won't let him play in the garden on his own. I have to be there. I'm on alert constantly.' Another reporter told the RSF she had a package, which was designed to look like it contained anthrax, hand-delivered to her apartment block. While female TV journalist was approached on a London bus by a man who told her: 'We will kill you. You are a very bad person.' All of them are understood to have voiced their dissent against Tehran. The IRGC is the principal supporter of Amid Current sanctions on Kasra Aarabi, Director of IRGC Research at United Against Nuclear Iran, said: 'The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the most antisemitic armed Islamist extremist organisation in the world. 'The government needs to proscribe the IRGC as a matter of urgency. 'The failure to proscribe the IRGC is putting British lives at risk, not least those from the British-Jewish community and British-Iranian diaspora —the two primary targets of IRGC terrorism in the UK.'
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Conor McGregor's bid to take over football club ‘respectfully declined'
'[The club] is a safe space for all, especially for women, girls, and families.' A football club has said they have 'respectfully declined' a take over offer from Conor McGregor. Hartlepool United Football Club, who are based in the North East of England have been the subject of takeover rumours for months. Speculation McGregor was going to buy the club intensified recently when he followed them on social media. Now, the company behind the club, the Herd International Group, have issued a statement revealing that they turned down an offer from a 'high-profile' individual. Conor McGregor News in 90 Seconds - June 20th 'As the directors and board members of Herd Group, we want to speak openly and clearly in light of recent speculation,' the statement began. 'We were offered the opportunity to involve a high-profile individual whose values and public behaviour we believe do not align with the spirit of Hartlepool United Football Club. 'We respectfully, but firmly declined.' The club said that while others in the local community might feel that the person's association with them would 'represent a path forward' they don't share that view and 'never will.' 'Hartlepool United is a club rooted in community. It is a safe space for all, especially for women, girls, and families who proudly support this club and this town,' the statement continued. "Our commitment is to preserve and strengthen that identity - not compromise it. We remain fully committed to completing the takeover and investing in the future of Hartlepool United - not just as a football club, but as a central part of the community. "We believe in the potential of this town, and we stand ready to help it grow with integrity. unity, and purpose. Thank you for your trust and continued support. Herd Group." The ex-UFC fighter has expressed previous interest in purchasing football clubs, including Chelsea F.C. More recently, he expressed interest in purchasing two League of Ireland clubs. His Crumlin pub, the Black Forge Inn, has its own football squad, in which McGregor spontaneously lines out for. Last week he was caught on camera punching a partygoer to the ground at a nightclub in Ibiza. Footage obtained by the Sun appears to show the Dubliner hitting a person twice during the incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 36-year-old is seen in conversation with a man before putting his arm around his shoulders and then hitting him with his left hand while holding a glass of alcohol in his right. The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion then takes another shot as the man stumbles to leave the reveller on the floor. According to reports, McGregor carried on partying at the venue while the man who had been punched was thrown out. The incident followed a boozy day session for McGregor who had earlier been pictured dancing with former glamour model Katie Price. Last year, a jury found McGregor civilly liable for raping Nikita Hand at a hotel room in Dublin in 2018. During the trial, Ms Hand testified she had been 'brutally raped and battered' by McGregor and at one point thought she was going to die and never see her young daughter again. They also heard evidence that a tampon was wedged so far inside her vagina it needed to be removed with a forceps in the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit of the Rotunda Hospital, where she presented in a terrified state the following day. The court was shown photos of Ms Hand's badly bruised body, taken by Gardaí two days after the events in the hotel. In January, a judge ordered McGregor to pay Nikita Hand €100,000 of her €250,000 damages and €200,000 of her expected €1.3m legal costs.
