Former Court Employee Indicted

McMinnville, TN - District Attorney General Chris Stanford announced that Michael Droese was indicted during the May session of the Warren County Grand Jury on one count of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

The indictment follows an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). On April 21, 2024, Droese allegedly used his Coinbase account to attempt to purchase child sexual assault material on the Dark Web. The transaction was flagged and terminated before the purchase was completed.

The investigation began with a tip from Coinbase to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Warren County Sheriff's Department received the tip on March 19, 2025, and forwarded the information to the District Attorney General. The TBI's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was then called in to investigate.

At the time of the indictment, Droese was employed as the DUI Coordinator for the 31st Judicial District Adult Recovery Court Program. He has since been terminated.

Droese's arraignment is set for May 28, 2025. Bond was set at $10,000, which he posted.