Joe Seiders, drummer for the acclaimed Canadian indie rock band The New Pornographers, was arrested April 9 in Riverside County on multiple charges, including possession of child pornography, following two separate incidents at a Palm Desert Chick-fil-A, authorities said.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reported that deputies first responded to the restaurant on April 7 after an 11-year-old boy said an unknown man had recorded him with a cell phone while he was using the restroom. Two days later, officers returned after employees reported a man repeatedly entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males. Deputies identified and arrested Seiders, 44, at the scene.
Following the arrest, investigators executed search warrants at Seiders’ home, vehicle and cell phone, uncovering evidence linking him to the incidents and to additional crimes, including felony possession of child pornography. Seiders was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio and is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on $1 million bail. He faces charges of possession of child pornography, annoying or molesting a child, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy. Seiders has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear at the Indio Larson Justice Center on April 22.
The New Pornographers announced they have severed all ties with Seiders. In a statement posted to Instagram, the band said, “Everyone in the band is absolutely shocked, horrified and devastated by the news of the charges against Joe Seiders — and we have immediately severed all ties with him. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions”.
Seiders joined The New Pornographers in 2014 and played on three of the band’s albums.
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