Authorities arrest special forces soldier who allegedly pocketed $400,000 in Polymarket bets linked to Maduro operation

A special forces soldier involved in the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been indicted by the U.S. Justice Department. What are his criminal charges? On the prediction market Polymarket, numerous bets were made that Maduro would leave power, which reportedly earned him more than $400,000.

Authorities allege Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who participated in the “planning and execution” of Operation Absolute Resolve – the strategy that toppled and captured Venezuela’s leader – bet Polymarket on whether the United States would deploy troops in Venezuela and oust Maduro from power.

Van Dyke was arrested Thursday, CBS reported, citing law enforcement sources.

Federal officials said Van Dyke’s bets were made based on confidential information he had access to because he was a government insider. The government notes that Van Dyke signed a non-disclosure agreement that prohibited him from leaking, publishing, or disclosing “any confidential or sensitive information… by writing, speaking, acting, or otherwise” related to military operations in which he was involved.

In December, Van Dyke created a Polymarket account and began placing bets related to “Maduro and Venezuela-related markets,” officials say. He is known to have placed 13 bets totaling $33,034 between December 27, 2025 and January 26 of this year on items such as “U.S. troops in Venezuela by January 31, 2026” and “Maduro ousted by January 31, 2026.” Officials said Van Dyke also took steps to conceal his relationship with the account on which he placed his bets after collecting his winnings.

Van Dyke faces a variety of charges, including violating the Commodity Exchange Act, wire fraud, and illegal monetary transactions.

“Our men and women in uniform are trusted with confidential information to complete their missions as safely and effectively as possible, and they are prohibited from using this highly sensitive information for personal financial gain,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. “Wide access to prediction markets is a relatively new phenomenon, but it is fully subject to federal laws protecting national security information.”

Prediction markets have been controversial ever since their launch. But over the past year, the site has grown in prominence and influence, securing deals with media outlets and sports organizations while also becoming widely used, including by government officials. Legislation is currently under consideration that would ban public officials from using non-public information to place bets on prediction sites.