Overview

• Michael Droese, a former WWE wrestler, was indicted in May 2025 on one count of attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class D felony in Tennessee.
• Droese allegedly attempted to purchase child sexual abuse material on the dark web using a Coinbase account in April 2024, but the transaction was flagged and blocked by the platform.
• Coinbase reported the flagged transaction to the FBI, which worked with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to probe the case, leading to Droese's indictment.
• Droese surrendered to authorities, posted a $10,000 bond, and is scheduled for arraignment on May 28, 2025; he faces a potential two- to four-year prison sentence if convicted.
• At the time of his indictment, Droese served as a DUI Coordinator for a judicial recovery program and was immediately terminated from his position upon the charges becoming public.