New Pornographers Drummer Joseph Seiders Charged with Child Pornography

Joseph Seiders, longtime drummer of The New Pornographers, has been arrested on multiple charges related to child pornography following two alleged incidents involving minors in a restaurant bathroom. A subsequent search of his residence also allegedly uncovered additional child pornography, according to authorities.

Both incidents reportedly took place earlier this month at a Chick-fil-A in Palm Desert, California. On April 7th, an 11-year-old boy told deputies that a man—later identified as Seiders—was recording him with a cellphone while he was using the bathroom. Then, on April 9th, police received a report from an employee about the same man entering and exiting the restroom with minors. Seiders was taken into custody later that day.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office subsequently executed search warrants for Seiders’ residence, vehicle, and cellphone, which allegedly “implicated him in the two reported incidents, along with additional crimes, including possessing child pornography.”

Seiders has been charged with possession of a minor in a sexual act, annoying or molesting a child, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy, and attempting to conceal a camera without consent. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, April 22nd.

Seiders, 44, joined The New Pornographers in 2014.