U.S. Special Forces Soldier Charged with Insider Trading on Polymarket After Maduro Capture

A U.S. Army Special Forces master sergeant has been arrested and charged with using classified information to profit from bets on the prediction market Polymarket related to the January 2026 operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, federal authorities announced.

Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a communications specialist supporting Joint Special Operations Command, was involved in the planning and execution of Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the apprehension of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in early January 2026, according to the Department of Justice.

Within hours of President Donald Trump’s public announcement that Maduro had been captured, Van Dyke allegedly placed more than $33,000 in bets across approximately 13 wagers on Polymarket, predicting the timing and outcome of the very operation he helped execute. Those bets yielded winnings exceeding $409,000, prosecutors allege.

An indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York charges Van Dyke with unlawful utilize of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and engaging in monetary transactions from unlawful activity. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission also filed a parallel civil complaint against him for the same conduct.

“Prediction markets are not a haven for using misappropriated confidential or classified information for personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The defendant allegedly violated the trust placed in him by the United States Government by using classified information about a sensitive military operation to place bets on the timing and outcome of that very operation, all to turn a profit. That is clear insider trading and is illegal under federal law.”

President Trump, when questioned about the case, remarked, “You know the whole world, unfortunately, has develop into somewhat of a casino.”

Key Takeaways

• A U.S. Army Special Forces master sergeant allegedly used insider knowledge from the Maduro capture mission to profit on Polymarket.
• The bets, placed shortly after the operation’s success was announced publicly, yielded over $409,000 in winnings.
• Van Dyke faces multiple federal charges, including commodities fraud and wire fraud, for misusing classified information.
• The case highlights growing concerns about insider trading in prediction markets and the misuse of sensitive government data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Polymarket?

Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market platform where users can bet on the outcomes of real-world events using cryptocurrency. Winnings are paid out based on the accuracy of predictions.

What charges does Van Dyke face?

Van Dyke has been charged with unlawful use of confidential government information, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and engaging in monetary transactions from unlawful activity. The CFTC has also filed a civil complaint for similar violations.

How much did Van Dyke allegedly win?

According to the indictment, Van Dyke’s bets on Polymarket resulted in winnings exceeding $409,000 from an initial investment of about $33,000.

When was Nicolás Maduro captured?

Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were apprehended in early January 2026 during Operation Absolute Resolve, a U.S.-led military mission. President Trump announced the capture publicly shortly afterward.