‘Jeopardy!’ winner pleads guilty to felony secret peeping
07/30/2026 11:00 am PDT
CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C. (TCN) -- A 44-year-old former “Jeopardy!” winner accused of placing hidden cameras in a bathroom and bedroom of a rental home to has pleaded guilty to two felony counts of secret peeping.
According to an arrest warrant obtained by WBTV, on Oct. 10, 2025, Philip Joseph “Joey” DeSena installed cameras in the bathroom and bedroom of a rental home in Corolla, North Carolina, “with the intent to capture the image of another without their consent.”
People reports that the victim, whose name has not been released, was staying at the home because she was in Corolla for a wedding. She told authorities that she found two USB wall chargers with cameras inside them.
A warrant for DeSena’s arrest was issued on Nov. 26, 2025. He turned himself in on Dec. 1, 2025, and was released on bond two days later. He was indicted on Jan. 20, 2026.
DeSena worked as an engineer and appeared on “Jeopardy!” twice, first in November 2024 and then in January 2025. He won a total of $44,968 on the show, per WBTV.
According to WBTV, DeSena pleaded guilty to two felony charges of secret peeping on July 27. As part of the plea agreement, he was sentenced to 60 months of probation and is not required to register as a sex offender.
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