Soldier accused of betting on Maduro raid pleads not guilty

A special forces soldier involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty Tuesday to misusing classified information about the operation to make over $400,000 in illegal profits.

Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a 38-year-old active duty soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, appeared in civilian clothes before Judge Margaret Garnett in New York.

The case is the first time federal prosecutors have charged anyone in connection with bets placed on a prediction market, the popular space where people bet “yes” or “no” on outcomes including sports games, Taylor Swift’s wedding and geopolitical events.

“Mr. Van Dyke is an American hero,” said Mark Geragos, an attorney for Van Dyke, after the arraignment. Geragos said Van Dyke has been charged “with something that is not a crime” and vowed to challenge the “core” of the allegations.