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New Pornographers’ Joe Seiders Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
Joe Seiders, known for his work as a drummer and keyboardist in the band the New Pornographers, has been apprehended by authorities for allegations related to child pornography, as confirmed by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in a recent announcement. Records indicate that Seiders was taken into custody on April 9, and his bail has been set at an extraordinary $1 million.
In response to the shocking news, a representative for the New Pornographers expressed the band’s deep distress, stating, “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.”
The investigation began when police responded to a report involving “a suspicious circumstance” at a Chick-fil-A restaurant located in Palm Desert, California, on April 7. An 11-year-old boy informed officers that “an unknown male adult recorded him on a cell phone while he was using the restroom at the location.”
Two days later, law enforcement received another report from the same restaurant, where an employee noted a man entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males. This individual was identified as Seiders, leading to his arrest by the responding officers.
After Seiders’ arrest, investigators conducted searches of his home, vehicle, and cell phone, uncovering evidence linking him to both the incidents at Chick-fil-A and other potential offenses, as stated in the sheriff’s department release.
Seiders faces serious allegations, including a felony charge for possession of child pornography, alongside misdemeanor charges for annoying or molesting a child, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy. He has entered a not guilty plea for all counts and is scheduled to appear in court on April 22.
Joining the New Pornographers after the group released their 2014 album Brill Bruisers, Seiders replaced longtime drummer Kurt Dahle. He contributed to subsequent projects including 2017’s Whiteout Conditions, 2019’s In the Morse Code of Brake Lights, and the recent Continue as a Guest in 2023, as well as their latest single “Ballad of the Last Payphone.” He had been an active touring member until his recent dismissal.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
https://rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line
SMS: Text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741
Source
pitchfork.com