Drummer Of 'The New Pornographers' Arrested On Child Porn Charges In SoCal

PALM DESERT, CA — Palm Desert resident and The New Pornographers drummer, Joseph Seiders, 44, was arrested last week on charges of possessing child pornography, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

He is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, awaiting arraignment at the Indio Larson Justice Center on Tuesday, with a set bail of $1 million.

On Monday, April 7, after Palm Desert deputies learned of an incident in the 73000 block of Dinah Shore Drive, inside a fast food restaurant, where an 11-year-old boy told officials that an unknown man recorded him on a cell phone while he was using the restroom.

On April 9, deputies got a second report at the same location. This time, an employee told police the man, believed to be Seiders, "entered and exited the restroom with underage boys at the business," authorities said.

Meanwhile, members of The New Pornographers, a Canadian Indie rock band, confirmed that Seiders was their drummer, and had been since 2014, according to People.com.

They were unaware of Seiders' alleged activities, as stated in an Instagram post released on Friday.

"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," the statement reads. "Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions."

Palm Desert deputies currently believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information was urged to contact Investigator Iniguez at 760–836–1600 or Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatched at 951–776–1099.