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U.S. Soldier Charged with Using Classified Information to Profit from Venezuela Operation
Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier has been charged with using classified information about a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to win more than $400,000 through an online betting platform.
Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyk, who was directly involved in planning and executing the January operation to capture Maduro, allegedly leveraged his insider knowledge to place profitable bets on the prediction market site Polymarket, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York.
Prosecutors allege that Van Dyk created a Polymarket account in late December and made approximately 13 bets taking the “Yes” position on wagers related to U.S. forces being present in Venezuela and Maduro being removed from power by January 31, 2026. These bets were placed despite Van Dyk having signed multiple non-disclosure agreements prohibiting him from divulging any classified or sensitive information about the operation.
“Any clearance holders thinking of cashing in their access and knowledge for personal gain will be held accountable,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “This announcement makes it clear that no one is above the law.”
Van Dyk faces multiple charges, including unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of non-public government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and making unlawful monetary transactions. The indictment alleges that shortly after the operation concluded, Van Dyk transferred most of his winnings to a foreign cryptocurrency vault before moving them to a new brokerage account.
In an apparent attempt to cover his tracks, Van Dyk reportedly asked Polymarket to delete his account, claiming he had lost access to the associated email address.
The indictment identifies Van Dyk as a senior enlisted soldier who joined the Army in 2008 and was promoted to Master Sergeant, the second-highest enlisted rank in the Army, in 2023. He was stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a major hub for U.S. Special Operations forces.
Evidence cited in the indictment includes a photograph showing Van Dyk on the deck of a ship following the Maduro operation “wearing U.S. military fatigues, and carrying a rifle, standing alongside three other individuals wearing U.S. military fatigues.”
The Pentagon has referred questions about the case to the Army and Department of Justice, while U.S. Special Operations Command has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This case emerges amid growing concerns about the use of non-public government information for trading on prediction markets. Earlier this month, The Associated Press reported that a group of new accounts on Polymarket had made highly specific, well-timed bets regarding a U.S.-Iran ceasefire on April 7, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits.
Prediction markets like Polymarket have gained popularity as platforms where users can bet on the outcomes of future events across various domains including politics, finance, and geopolitics. These markets operate similarly to traditional betting exchanges but focus on predicting real-world outcomes rather than sporting events.
In response to growing concerns about the misuse of government information, the White House recently warned staff against using private information to trade on these prediction markets. The Van Dyk case represents one of the most high-profile examples of alleged misuse of classified information for financial gain in such markets.
If convicted, Van Dyk could face substantial prison time and financial penalties. The case also raises broader questions about operational security within military special operations and the potential vulnerability of sensitive missions to insider exploitation.
The charges against Van Dyk come at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with the Maduro regime frequently accusing Washington of plotting intervention efforts against the South American nation.
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14 Comments
If the allegations are true, this is a troubling example of insider trading and corruption. It’s critical that the U.S. military maintains the highest standards of integrity and security.
Absolutely. Leaking classified information for personal profit undermines the military’s mission and public trust. Thorough investigations are essential.
Concerning news. Insider trading and leveraging classified military intel for personal profit are clear ethical violations that undermine public confidence. Robust oversight and accountability are essential.
Well said. This case should prompt a comprehensive review of security protocols to identify vulnerabilities and prevent future incidents of this nature.
Quite an explosive story. I’m curious to learn more about how the soldier was able to leverage intelligence for financial gain, and whether this was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern.
Good point. The details of this case will be important to understand the specific vulnerabilities that enabled this breach and how to improve security protocols going forward.
The allegations of this soldier using privileged information for financial gain are very troubling. It’s critical that the U.S. military maintains the highest ethical standards and accountability.
Agreed. This case highlights the need for robust whistleblower protections and security measures to prevent sensitive data from being exploited.
Profiting off classified intel is a major abuse of power. I hope this case serves as a strong deterrent and leads to thorough reforms to strengthen security protocols within the military.
This raises serious concerns about operational security and the potential for insider threats within the U.S. military. Robust safeguards must be in place to prevent classified data from being exploited for personal profit.
Absolutely right. The military cannot tolerate any compromises to sensitive information, as it jeopardizes national security and the safety of service members.
This is concerning news. Using classified military intelligence for personal financial gain is a serious breach of trust and ethics. I hope the investigation uncovers the full scope of this wrongdoing.
Agreed, this is a clear abuse of power and privileged access to sensitive information. The soldier should face appropriate legal consequences.
Wow, this is a major breach of trust. I hope the investigation uncovers the full extent of wrongdoing and that appropriate disciplinary actions are taken against the soldier involved.