US Authorities Detain Army Green Beret Over Alleged $400,000 Venezuela Raid Betting Scandal

The US Department of Justice has apprehended a high-ranking Army official on charges of exploiting confidential government information for personal financial gain. The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, accuses Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke of unlawful use of sensitive information and fraud, stemming from his alleged involvement in betting on the Venezuela raid that led to the detention of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Van Dyke, an active-duty soldier with the US Army Special Forces, allegedly placed $33,000 in bets on the raid's outcome through a Polymarket account, ultimately winning around $400,000. According to the US Attorney, Van Dyke's actions constitute 'clear insider trading' and a violation of federal law. The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission is also pursuing an insider trading complaint against Van Dyke. Following the raid, Van Dyke allegedly attempted to conceal his identity and withdrew his winnings, converting them to a stablecoin and transferring the funds to a brokerage account. The case has drawn attention from US President Donald Trump, who expressed his disapproval of betting using confidential information, likening the global situation to a 'casino.'