Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York
An enlisted soldier at Fort Bragg was granted $250,000 bond release on Friday and will have his charges of using classified information to win $400,000 in a prediction market continued Tuesday in New York.
Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke, member of the Special Forces team helping capture Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, is charged with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain; theft of nonpublic government information; commodities fraud; wire fraud; and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
The 38-year-old, if convicted, stands to lose any potential retirement pay and spend years in prison.
Van Dyke appeared Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian S. Meyers in the Eastern District of North Carolina in Raleigh.
On social media, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote, “This involved a U.S. soldier who allegedly took advantage of his position to profit off of a righteous military operation.”
Prosecutors say as part of the operation to capture Maduro, he signed a nondisclosure agreement specific to not releasing classified or sensitive information. He used what he knew to make bets on Polymarket that Maduro would be out of power by Jan. 31.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the entity overseeing Polymarket and other prediction markets, on Thursday filed a complaint against Van Dyke. The commission says he moved $35,000 from his personal bank account to cryptocurrency exchange on Dec. 26.
The commission says between Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, he bet $32,500 in a series of bets. Most were made Jan. 2. He made $404,000 on Maduro bets, and another $5,000 on other bets involving Venezuela, said the commission complaint.
Operation Absolute Resolve, as the capture of Maduro was named, was executed Jan. 3 in Caracas, Venezuela. He was brought to New York City and faced charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president two days later. She was formerly the vice president to Maduro.
Latest News Stories
Frankfort Fire Trustees Hold Four-Hour Closed Session on Chief Search
Library Anticipates Purchasing Delays as Major Distributor Closes
P&Z Commission: Peotone Area Variances Forwarded for Garage and Pole Barn
Peotone License Plate Camera Renewal Sparks Privacy Debate in Public Works Committee
Village Secures $1.6 Million Grant for Laraway and Pfeiffer Road Multi-Use Path
Library Board Updates Materials Selection Policy and Reconsideration Process
Joliet Unity Movement Criticizes Board’s Handling of Cannabis Tax Revenue
Safety Upgrades Planned for Wilmington-Peotone Road; Gas Line Proposal Rejected
Online Luxury Car Dealership Approved for Center Road
Tensions Flare as Board Members Clash Over Budget Process and Protocol
Will County Board Approves $2.7 Million Reserve Draw to Finalize 0% Tax Levy
Frankfort Library Reading Room Project Moves to Permitting Phase; Native Landscaping Planned