Former Jeopardy! Champion Philip DeSena Pleads Guilty in Hidden Camera Case

Former Jeopardy! champion Philip Joseph DeSena has pleaded guilty to two felony counts of secret peeping after admitting to placing hidden cameras inside a holiday rental property.

Prosecutors said DeSena, 44, secretly installed cameras disguised as USB wall chargers in a bedroom and bathroom of a rental home in Corolla, North Carolina, on 10 October 2025. The devices captured images of a guest without her consent.

Investigators said the victim discovered the hidden cameras and contacted authorities. After examining the devices, officers confirmed they contained images of the victim.

DeSena was arrested in December 2025 after turning himself in following the issuance of an arrest warrant. On Monday, he received a sentence of 60 months' probation under a plea agreement. As part of the agreement, he will not be required to register as a sex offender.

DeSena won two episodes of Jeopardy! in 2024, earning a total of $44,698, and later competed in the show's Winter 2025 Champions Wildcard tournament.