Special forces soldier who won $400,000 betting on Maduro's capture pleads not guilty
U.S. Army Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court to charges of using classified information to profit over $400,000 on a prediction market related to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He was released on a $250,000 bond with travel restrictions and has surrendered his firearms. Van Dyke, who helped plan the operation, allegedly placed 13 bets on Polymarket before the raid, making a substantial profit after the event became public. His legal team expects the case to hinge on motions to exclude evidence and dismiss charges.
- ▪Gannon Ken Van Dyke is a U.S. Army special forces soldier accused of using classified information to make $409,881 on Polymarket bets predicting Maduro's capture.
- ▪He pleaded not guilty to charges including unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain.
- ▪Van Dyke placed bets between December 27 and January 2, hours before the operation to capture Maduro was executed.
- ▪Prosecutors have identified Polymarket records, bank transactions, and email accounts as part of the evidence, some of which involves classified information.
- ▪The case marks what is believed to be the first insider trading prosecution involving a prediction market.
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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsShopInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onSpecial forces soldier who won $400,000 betting on Maduro's capture pleads not guiltyMaster Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke helped plan and execute the Maduro operation.ByAaron Katersky and Peter CharalambousApril 28, 2026, 2:45 PM2:09Gannon Ken Van Dyke walks with his attorneys near a federal court building in New York on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.Seth Wenig/APThe U.S.
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