Authorities arrest a special forces soldier who allegedly won $400,000 in a Polymarket bet related to the Maduro operation

A special forces soldier involved in the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been formally charged by the United States Department of Justice. His alleged crime? Placing numerous bets on the Polymarket prediction market that Maduro would be removed from power, he is said to have won more than $400,000.

Authorities claim that Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who participated in the “planning and execution” of Operation Absolute Resolve (the scheme that overthrew and captured the Venezuelan leader), placed bets on Polymarket on whether the United States would deploy forces to Venezuela and remove Maduro from power.

Van Dyke was arrested Thursday. CBS reportsciting a police source.

Federal officials say Van Dyke’s bets were based on classified information he had access to as a result of being a member of the government. The government notes that Van Dyke signed confidentiality agreements that prohibited him from disclosing, publishing or revealing “by writing, words, conduct or otherwise… any classified or sensitive information” related to the military operations in which he participated.

In December, Van Dyke created a Polymarket account and began placing bets involving “markets related to Maduro and Venezuela,” officials say. Between December 27, 2025 and January 26 of this year, he allegedly made 13 bets totaling about $33,034 in total on things like “US forces in Venezuela… by January 31, 2026” and “Maduro out by… January 31, 2026.” Authorities say that after cashing out his winnings, Van Dyke also took steps to conceal his ties to the account that placed the bets.

Van Dyke faces a variety of charges, including violation of the Commodity Exchange Act, wire fraud and conducting an illegal monetary transaction.

“Our men and women in uniform are entrusted with classified information to accomplish their mission as safely and effectively as possible, and are prohibited from using this highly sensitive information for personal financial gain,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Widespread access to prediction markets is a relatively new phenomenon, but federal laws protecting national security information are fully enforced.”

Prediction markets have inspired controversy since their launch. But over the past year, the sites have gained prominence and influence, striking deals with media outlets and sports organizations while also seeing widespread use, including by public officials. Legislation Currently reflecting that would prohibit public officials from using non-public information to place bets on prediction sites.