In this New York City federal courthouse today, Nicolas Maduro took extensive notes. He wished reporters *** happy New Year, and he pleaded his innocence. Now this was an arraignment, so it was largely procedural, which means there weren’t lengthy legal arguments made today, but the former Venezuelan leader made it clear he plans on fighting the accusations. Former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro appeared in *** US courtroom for the first time alongside his wife. Who had bandages on her face. Her attorney said she suffered injuries during their dramatic capture over the weekend. Both pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons charges. Maduro said in court, quote, I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am *** decent man, the president of my country. In court papers, US prosecutors disputed that claim, alleging Maduro ran an illegitimate government. Fueled by *** drug trafficking operation that sent large amounts of cocaine to the United States, tensions boiled over as Maduro’s hearing ended. *** man stood up and shouted that he’s an illegitimate president, which Maduro fired back. He was kidnapped and *** prisoner of war. Those same divisions played out on the street outside the courthouse with dueling demonstrations, including those demanding Maduro’s release. The US does not have the interests of the Venezuelan people in mind. It just wants the oil. It wants the natural resources, while others praised his prosecution. Talk about the feeling right now, very happy, very pleased because Maduro is finally facing justice after creating the largest humanitarian crisis in, in the hemisphere and after making us suffer for so many, for so many years. Both Maduro and his wife agreed to remain detained. The judge ordered the two to be back in this New York City courthouse in March. In New York City, I’m Christopher Sales.
Federal officials charge US soldier with using inside info to win $400K bet on Maduro’s capture
A U.S. soldier has been charged with using inside information to win $400,000 in an online betting market on Venezuelan President Maduro’s capture, federal officials announced Thursday.Gannon Ken Van Dyk was part of the work to capture Maduro in January and used his access to classified information to make money on the prediction market site Polymarket, the federal prosecutor’s office in New York said.Van Dyk was a senior enlisted soldier who was part of the special forces community and stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, according to the indictment, but it offers little other details about his military service.He has been 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 Pentagon referred questions on the case to the Army and the Department of Justice. US Special Operations Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Van Dyke joined the Army in 2008 and, in 2023, was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant, the second-highest enlisted rank in the Army, according to the indictment.
A U.S. soldier has been charged with using inside information to win $400,000 in an online betting market on Venezuelan President Maduro’s capture, federal officials announced Thursday.
Gannon Ken Van Dyk was part of the work to capture Maduro in January and used his access to classified information to make money on the prediction market site Polymarket, the federal prosecutor’s office in New York said.
Van Dyk was a senior enlisted soldier who was part of the special forces community and stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, according to the indictment, but it offers little other details about his military service.
He has been 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 Pentagon referred questions on the case to the Army and the Department of Justice. US Special Operations Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Van Dyke joined the Army in 2008 and, in 2023, was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant, the second-highest enlisted rank in the Army, according to the indictment.
