Joseph Seiders, drummer for Canadian indie-rock outfit The New Pornographers, has been arrested in California and charged with multiple offences related to child pornography. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the arrest in a statement earlier this week.
The charges stem from two incidents that occurred at a Chick-fil-A in Palm Desert earlier this month. On April 7, deputies responded to a report from an 11-year-old boy who alleged that an adult male had recorded him with a cellphone while he was using the restroom. Two days later, on April 9, an employee at the same location contacted police, reporting that the same man had been entering and exiting the restroom repeatedly with young boys. Officers later identified the suspect as 44-year-old Seiders and arrested him that day.
Following the arrest, investigators obtained and executed search warrants for Seiders’ home, vehicle, and cellphone. According to the Sheriff’s Department, evidence recovered from those searches linked him to the reported incidents and allegedly revealed further child pornography offences.
Seiders has been formally charged with possession of a minor engaged in a sexual act, annoying or molesting a child under 18, and concealing a recording device with the intent to invade privacy. His first court appearance is scheduled for April 22 in Riverside County.
Seiders had been performing with The New Pornographers since 2014 and contributed to several of their recent tours and recordings. In a statement shared with Pitchfork, 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.”
Formed in Vancouver in the late ’90s, The New Pornographers are known for their hook-laden, genre-blurring sound and collaborative lineup. The group has not yet addressed whether this development will affect their current tour or future plans.
Seiders remains in custody as the investigation continues.
