A United States Army Special Forces master sergeant is facing serious charges after allegedly using classified military information for personal gain. The Department of Justice has charged Gannon Ken Van Dyke, 38, with insider trading following his involvement in a covert operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Van Dyke reportedly used confidential intelligence from Operation Absolute Resolve, which led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, to make substantial bets on the outcome via a prediction market platform. Starting December 26, 2025, Van Dyke placed bets totaling around $33,000 on Polymarket, a platform known for facilitating such transactions. These bets, considered unlikely at the time, resulted in profits exceeding $400,000.
The unusual trading patterns drew attention when media outlets reported on the peculiar activities surrounding Maduro-related contracts. Attempts to erase his digital footprint included deleting his Polymarket account and altering linked email addresses. Additionally, Van Dyke transferred his winnings to a foreign cryptocurrency vault before setting up a new brokerage account.
This case marks the first instance where the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has pursued insider trading charges linked to prediction market contracts. Van Dyke is charged with multiple offenses in New York’s Southern District, such as the misuse of confidential government information and fraud.
US Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the gravity of these actions, stating, “Those entrusted with national secrets must protect them, not exploit them for financial gain.”
Polymarket detected the suspicious activity and alerted authorities, fully cooperating with the investigation. The company stated, “Insider trading undermines market integrity. Today’s arrest underscores our commitment to a fair trading environment.”
Following his extradition to New York, President Maduro has entered a not guilty plea to federal drug-trafficking charges. Meanwhile, Van Dyke is scheduled for a court appearance in North Carolina.
