New Pornographers Drummer Is Charged With Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Imagery
The New York Times (archive.ph)
By Derrick Bryson Taylor
2025-04-18 16:29:07GMT
“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,” a spokesman for the New Pornographers said in a statement.Credit...Al Pereira/WireImage, via Getty Images
Joseph Seiders, the drummer for the indie power-pop group the New Pornographers, was arrested this month in Southern California on charges of possession of child sexual abuse imagery and other crimes, the authorities said.
Mr. Seiders, 44, was taken into custody on April 9 after an employee at a Chick-fil-A restaurant called the police and said a man was entering and exiting the bathroom with underage boys, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Two days earlier, the police were called to the same restaurant after an 11-year-old boy said a man had recorded him on a cellphone while he used the bathroom.
After Mr. Seiders was arrested, search warrants were issued for his home, vehicle and cellphone, the police said. He was then charged with possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy and attempted invasion of privacy.
Mr. Seiders, whose bail was set at $1 million and remains incarcerated, is due in court next week, according to jail records. It is unclear if he has a lawyer.
“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,” a spokesman for the New Pornographers said in a statement on Friday. “Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions.”
The spokesman said there was nothing to report about how the arrest might change the band’s upcoming plans.
Mr. Seiders joined the New Pornographers in 2014 — 17 years after the band formed — and has appeared on recent projects alongside the singer and songwriter Neko Case, the guitarist A.C. Newman and the bassist John Collins. Their latest song, “Ballad of the Last Payphone,” was released this month.
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Suspect Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography
Riverside County Sheriff's Office (archive.ph)
By RCSO Staff
2025-04-17
Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Daniel Milbrandt
File # T250970092
Details:
On Monday, April 7, 2025, at 3:55 p.m., deputies assigned to the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance in the 73000 block of Dinah Shore Drive, Palm Desert. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with an 11-year-old male who stated an unknown male adult recorded him on a cell phone while he was using the restroom at the location.
On April 9, 2025, at 5:01 p.m., deputies received a second report at the same location. An employee stated a male was entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males at the business. Believing the male was the suspect from the previous incident, law enforcement was contacted. Upon arrival, deputies located the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Joseph Seiders of Palm Desert, and took him into custody.
The Palm Desert Station Investigations Bureau continued the investigation, serving search warrants for Seiders' residence, vehicle, and cell phone. Evidence was located implicating him in the two reported incidents, along with additional crimes, including possessing child pornography. Seiders was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio for possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available.
The Riverside Sheriff’s Office believes there may be additional victims and encourages anyone with information related to this investigation to contact Investigator Iniguez at 760–836–1600 or Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatched at 951–776–1099.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
The New York Times (archive.ph)
By Derrick Bryson Taylor
2025-04-18 16:29:07GMT
“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,” a spokesman for the New Pornographers said in a statement.Credit...Al Pereira/WireImage, via Getty Images
Joseph Seiders, the drummer for the indie power-pop group the New Pornographers, was arrested this month in Southern California on charges of possession of child sexual abuse imagery and other crimes, the authorities said.
Mr. Seiders, 44, was taken into custody on April 9 after an employee at a Chick-fil-A restaurant called the police and said a man was entering and exiting the bathroom with underage boys, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Two days earlier, the police were called to the same restaurant after an 11-year-old boy said a man had recorded him on a cellphone while he used the bathroom.
After Mr. Seiders was arrested, search warrants were issued for his home, vehicle and cellphone, the police said. He was then charged with possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy and attempted invasion of privacy.
Mr. Seiders, whose bail was set at $1 million and remains incarcerated, is due in court next week, according to jail records. It is unclear if he has a lawyer.
“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,” a spokesman for the New Pornographers said in a statement on Friday. “Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions.”
The spokesman said there was nothing to report about how the arrest might change the band’s upcoming plans.
Mr. Seiders joined the New Pornographers in 2014 — 17 years after the band formed — and has appeared on recent projects alongside the singer and songwriter Neko Case, the guitarist A.C. Newman and the bassist John Collins. Their latest song, “Ballad of the Last Payphone,” was released this month.
---
Suspect Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography
Riverside County Sheriff's Office (archive.ph)
By RCSO Staff
2025-04-17
Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Daniel Milbrandt
File # T250970092
Details:
On Monday, April 7, 2025, at 3:55 p.m., deputies assigned to the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance in the 73000 block of Dinah Shore Drive, Palm Desert. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with an 11-year-old male who stated an unknown male adult recorded him on a cell phone while he was using the restroom at the location.
On April 9, 2025, at 5:01 p.m., deputies received a second report at the same location. An employee stated a male was entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males at the business. Believing the male was the suspect from the previous incident, law enforcement was contacted. Upon arrival, deputies located the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Joseph Seiders of Palm Desert, and took him into custody.
The Palm Desert Station Investigations Bureau continued the investigation, serving search warrants for Seiders' residence, vehicle, and cell phone. Evidence was located implicating him in the two reported incidents, along with additional crimes, including possessing child pornography. Seiders was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio for possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available.
The Riverside Sheriff’s Office believes there may be additional victims and encourages anyone with information related to this investigation to contact Investigator Iniguez at 760–836–1600 or Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatched at 951–776–1099.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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