Authorities arrest special forces soldier who allegedly made $400k on Polymarket bet involving Maduro operation
Source: TechCrunch
A special forces soldier involved in the operation that captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has been indicted by the U.S. Justice Department. The alleged crime: making numerous bets on the prediction‑market platform Polymarket that Maduro would be removed from power, reportedly netting upwards of $400 k.
Arrest and Charges
Authorities say Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who participated in the “planning and execution” of Operation Absolute Resolve—the mission that toppled and captured the Venezuelan leader—was arrested on Thursday, according to a CBS report.
Federal officials allege that Van Dyke’s wagers were informed by classified information he accessed as a government insider. He had signed nondisclosure agreements prohibiting any disclosure of classified or sensitive information related to the military operations he was involved with.
Van Dyke faces several charges, including:
- Violating the Commodity Exchange Act
- Wire fraud
- Making an unlawful monetary transaction
“Our men and women in uniform are trusted with classified information … and are prohibited from using this highly sensitive information for personal financial gain,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Background on Operation Absolute Resolve
Operation Absolute Resolve was the U.S. special‑forces mission that captured President Maduro in early 2025. Participants, including Van Dyke, had access to intelligence regarding potential U.S. military actions and the timeline for Maduro’s removal.
Polymarket Bets
- Account creation: Van Dyke opened a Polymarket account in December 2025.
- Betting period: Between Dec 27 2025 and Jan 26 2026, he placed 13 wagers totaling about $33,034 on outcomes such as “U.S. forces in Venezuela … by Jan 31 2026” and “Maduro out by … Jan 31 2026.”
- Winnings: After collecting his winnings, officials say Van Dyke took steps to conceal his connection to the account.
Legal Implications
The case underscores the application of existing securities and national‑security laws to prediction‑market activity. As Acting Attorney General Blanche noted, “Widespread access to prediction markets is a relatively new phenomenon, but federal laws protecting national security information fully apply.”
Prediction‑Market Context
Prediction markets have sparked controversy since their inception, but over the past year they have grown in prominence, striking deals with media outlets and sports organizations and seeing use by public officials. Legislation is currently being mulled that would ban public officials from using nonpublic information to place bets on such platforms.