He won over $400,000 in bets for Maduro's capture, U.S. Special Forces soldier arrested.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has pressed charges against Gannon Ken Van Duke, since he allegedly conducted transactions in Polymarkete, a platform based on crypto notes, using classified information.

“This is clear internal trading (insider trading) and is illegal under federal law,” said justice officials.

Van Duke, an active American Army soldier stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, won more than $49,000 as a result of his bets.

The American forces seized Nicolaas Maduro and his wife, Cira Flores, from their residence in Caracas during a bold night operation on January 3rd and sent to New York to face charges of weapons and drugs, which they deny.

According to the indictment, Van Duke had placed bets on the timing and outcome of the operation, called “Absolute Resoleve”, “just to win para”, the Justice Department said.

DOJ claims that on December 26, 2025, Van Duke established an account in Polymarkets and started trading in markets related to Maduro and Venezuela. He allegedly placed bets on $33,000 while having access to classified and non-public information on the operation.

Polymarket stated that when he identified a user who was trading with classified government information, he reported the case to DOJ and cooperate with the investigation.

There's no room in Polymarket. Today's arrest shows the system functions, the company said.

Van Duke has been charged with illegal use of government confidential information for personal gain, theft of non-public information, fraud with financial goods, electronic fraud and illegal monetary transactions.

The US Acting Prosecutor said the military are obliged not to use classified information for personal financial gain.

He added that federal laws for the protection of national security apply fully to new betting markets (predictation markets).

The American prosecutor for the southern district of New York said these markets are not home to use classified information for personal benefit”.

DOJ said Van Duke had signed confidential agreements that prevent him from revealing classified information on military operations.

Prosecutors claim that from 8 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, he was involved in planning and executing the operation and had access to classified information.

The US goods trade commission (CFTC) has also filed a lawsuit against it for internal trade.

Asked about the case, President Donald Trump said he had not heard of it, but would consider it.

He added that he is not satisfied with these types of activities and that the world has become a “kasino”.