Recent Arrest: Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke
On April 23, 2026, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke was arrested for allegedly using classified information to profit from online bets. This is the first known federal insider trading case involving a prediction market platform.
Key Details of the Case
- The Suspect: A 38-year-old Special Forces soldier formerly stationed at Fort Bragg, NC (now Fort Liberty).
- The Betting Platform: He used Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction site.
- The Operation: Van Dyke was reportedly part of the team that planned and executed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” the January 2026 mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
- The Profit: He allegedly wagered approximately $32,000 and netted a profit of over $400,000.
Details of the Bets
Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke allegedly placed 13 separate bets on the crypto-based prediction platform Polymarket. He bet on a set of outcomes that most other users considered “long-shots” because they were tied to a secret military timeline.
Van Dyke exclusively took the “YES” position on several high-stakes contracts, including:
- “Maduro out by January 31, 2026”: This was his largest position, totaling roughly $32,537.
- “U.S. forces in Venezuela by January 31, 2026”.
- “Trump invokes War Powers against Venezuela by January 31”.
The Timeline of the “Inside” Info
Van Dyke was reportedly at the planning table for Operation Absolute Resolve as early as December 8, 2025.
Dec 26: He opened his account using a VPN and his personal email.
Dec 27 – Jan 2: He placed his 13 bets. His final (and largest) wager was made at 9:58 PM on January 2—just hours before the predawn raid began.
Jan 3: Maduro was captured. Van Dyke was allegedly photographed on a military ship in full combat gear shortly after the mission, before cashing out his winnings that same day.
⚖️ Criminal Charges & Legal Status
Van Dyke faces an indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York with several counts:
Unlawful use of confidential information for personal gain.
Theft of nonpublic government information.
Commodities fraud and wire fraud.
Engaging in monetary transactions from unlawful activity.
Current Status: He appeared in federal court in North Carolina on April 24, 2026. He was released on a $250,000 unsecured bond with travel restrictions and is scheduled to appear in New York on April 28.
Broader Military Rules on Gambling
While social gambling is often permitted, strict regulations apply under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ):
- Article 134: Prohibits gambling with a subordinate, which can lead to three months of confinement and docked pay.
- Ethics Rules: Clearance holders are strictly prohibited from using classified information for personal financial gain.
- Active-Duty Restrictions: Commanding officers can issue specific orders (General Orders) banning certain types of betting, especially those related to military operations.