Joey DeSena, a two-time “Jeopardy!” champion, has been arrested in North Carolina on allegations that he possessed child pornography. The arrest came about a year after he was separately accused of recording a woman inside a bedroom and bathroom.
DeSena, 44, was taken into custody Friday in Wake County and faces 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to an arrest warrant obtained by News Outlet. Authorities allege he possessed sexually explicit images and videos involving children.
A judge denied DeSena bond and ordered him held at the Wake County Jail, noting that the alleged child pornography possession occurred while he was on probation for an earlier offense.
DeSena was previously arrested in December 2025 after authorities accused him of recording a woman in a bedroom and bathroom.
Joey DeSena, 44, was denied bond following his latest arrest after a judge noted that he allegedly possessed child pornography while on probation for a previous secret peeping conviction. (Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services)
He pleaded guilty July 27, 2026, to two felony counts of secret peeping and received a sentence of 60 months of probation.
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DeSena won two episodes of “Jeopardy!” in November 2024, earning just over $44,000. He later returned for the show’s Champions Wildcard tournament in January 2025 but was eliminated in the semifinals. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
As part of his sentence, a judge ordered DeSena to complete 100 hours of community service and undergo a mental health assessment or evaluation.
Two-time “Jeopardy!” champion Joey DeSena, 44, was arrested in North Carolina on 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after allegedly possessing child pornography. (Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services)
DeSena won two “Jeopardy!” episodes in November 2024 and collected slightly more than $44,000 in prize money. He competed again in the Champions Wildcard tournament in January 2025, but his run ended in the semifinals.
DeSena is scheduled to appear in court next on Nov. 16.
