A United States special forces soldier has been arrested and charged with using classified military information to place bets on a covert operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The arrest follows an investigation into suspicious betting activity linked to the mission, known as Operation Absolute Resolve.
Details of the Arrest
Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyk, an active-duty soldier based at Fort Bragg, was taken into custody after prosecutors alleged he opened an account on a prediction market in late December and wagered approximately $32,000 on the outcome of the Maduro operation. According to court documents unsealed on Thursday, April 22, Van Dyk reportedly earned more than $400,000 from his bets.
Alleged Access to Classified Information
Investigators claim that Van Dyk was involved in the planning and execution of Operation Absolute Resolve and had access to sensitive intelligence before placing his wagers. His trades, initially anonymous, drew attention due to their precise timing and accuracy. Authorities say he placed multiple bets between late December and early January, including one shortly before the operation was carried out.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Van Dyk now faces multiple charges, including misuse of government information, fraud, and theft. He is expected to appear in court in North Carolina. US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, condemned the alleged actions, stating, "Those entrusted to safeguard our nation's secrets have a duty to protect them and our armed service members, and not to use that information for personal financial gain."
The Covert Mission
The case revolves around a US-led operation that resulted in the overnight capture of Maduro from the presidential palace in Caracas amid heavy resistance. Following his capture, Maduro was transported to New York, where he faces federal drug-trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.
Financial Trail and Cryptocurrency
Prosecutors allege that after securing significant profits, Van Dyk transferred the funds into a foreign cryptocurrency vault before moving them into an online brokerage account in an apparent effort to conceal their origin. Regulators have also filed a related civil complaint seeking financial penalties and restitution.
Reactions and Broader Concerns
The incident has intensified concerns over the rapid expansion of prediction markets, where users wager on real-world events, including political and geopolitical developments. The platform involved, Polymarket, stated that it had referred the suspicious activity to authorities and cooperated with the investigation. "When we identified a user trading on classified government information, we referred the matter to the DOJ and cooperated with their investigation. Insider trading has no place on Polymarket. Today's arrest is proof the system works," the company said.
US President Donald Trump also weighed in, expressing concern about the rise of betting tied to global events. "That's like Pete Rose betting on his own team," Trump said, drawing a comparison with the former baseball player banned for gambling. "Well I think that the whole world, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a casino," he added, noting that such practices were becoming widespread.
Call for Tighter Regulation
The case has renewed calls for tighter regulation of prediction markets, particularly regarding insider trading and the use of sensitive information. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of Van Dyk's activities and any potential accomplices.
