A US soldier who participated in the January operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been arrested for allegedly placing bets on the mission's outcome, federal authorities announced Thursday.
Gannon Ken Van Dyke is accused of making over $400,000 by wagering on Polymarket, a prediction market, that American forces would invade Venezuela and depose its leader. Prosecutors say he placed 13 bets between early December and early January, while involved in planning the operation.
Van Dyke faces charges of commodities and wire fraud, as well as unlawful use of confidential government information. If convicted, he could face up to 60 years in prison. The Department of Justice condemned his actions as a betrayal of trust.
Polymarket stated it referred the user to authorities, adding that 'insider trading has no place on Polymarket.' The case follows recent concerns over political insider trading, including well-timed wagers on the Iran war netting over $1 billion.
President Donald Trump, when asked about the arrest, compared it to Pete Rose betting on his own team. He expressed general disapproval of betting markets, calling the world 'somewhat of a casino.'
