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A Secret Service trainee at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynn County, Georgia, was arrested Wednesday (April 8) and charged with felony eavesdropping after allegedly spying on his roommate with a hidden camera. The trainee, Joel Lara Canvasser, previously worked as an analyst for the presidential protection team before starting with the agency in fall 2025, according to reports from ABC News.
Police say Canvasser secretly recorded his suitemate’s activities by concealing a camera inside a phone charger, which he offered to the victim after the roommate’s own charger went missing. The device, plugged in below the television, gave a clear view of the entire room, including the bathroom area. According to a police report, the roommate started receiving anonymous text messages from several numbers, suggesting someone was watching him inside his suite.
Initially believing his phone was hacked, the victim turned to Canvasser, who had a cyber background, for help. Canvasser blamed malware and reset the roommate’s phone, but the texts soon resumed. The victim became suspicious after receiving a message referencing his use of the bathroom while his phone was in his pocket, leading him to discover the hidden camera in the charger.
The police report also states that Canvasser entered the roommate’s room multiple times at night while he was sleeping, prompting the victim to lock up his belongings. Canvasser was arrested and released on an $8,458 bond. His access to all Secret Service systems has been suspended, and his security clearance is under review.
Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn described the allegations as "deeply troubling," saying in a statement that the incident "raises significant concerns about the individual's character and fitness to serve."