The term “secret peeping” refers to the illegal act of spying on someone without their knowledge, often using hidden recording devices to capture private moments.
This invasive crime was recently confessed to by a former two-time Jeopardy! champion, who admitted to placing covert cameras in a beach house to secretly film a woman.
Philip Joseph “Joey” DeSena entered a guilty plea to two felony charges of secret peeping, as detailed in documents reviewed by Oxygen. The guilty plea marks a significant turn in the case against him.
Under the terms of his sentencing, DeSena will undergo 60 months of supervised probation. He is not mandated to join the sex offender registry, but he must complete a mental health assessment and is prohibited from contacting the victim.
In a disturbing sequence of events from October, the Jeopardy! champion is accused of “secretly and surreptitiously” placing recording equipment in both the bathroom and bedroom of a North Carolina residence. These cameras were installed to clandestinely capture images of the unsuspecting woman, according to an indictment accessible through Oxygen.
The indictment alleges that DeSena did so “for the purpose of arousing and gratifying” his sexual desire.
The woman was staying at the beach vacation rental in Corolla for a wedding when she found the cameras concealed inside black USB chargers, according to WAVY. Currituck County deputies later linked the devices to DeSena.
After DeSena was charged in December, he turned himself in and spent two nights in jail, according to WAVY.
WAVY reported that during a July 27 court hearing, DeSena apologized, admitting he is “deeply sorry” and acknowledging “how much this affected certain people.”
Defense attorney John Parker Jr. told the judge that DeSena is a “full-time dad” to two small children, according to WAVY. Oxygen could not immediately reach Parker for comment.
DeSena competed on Jeopardy! in 2024, winning a total of $44,698 over two days. A spokesperson for Jeopardy! did not immediately return a request for comment from Oxygen.