The band say they are “absolutely shocked, horrified and devastated“ by the news and have „immediately severed all ties with him“
Joseph Seiders, the drummer for the New Pornographers, has been arrested for possession of child pornography.
KESQ, a news station in Palm Desert, California, reported that Seiders – who lives in the area – was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on April 9 and charged with possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy.
It followed two separate alleged incidents in the bathroom of a local restaurant, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
The first reportedly occurred on April 7, when an 11-year-old boy claimed to officers that an unknown man recorded him on a cell phone while he was using the restroom at a Chick-Fil-A on Dinah Shore Drive.
On April 9, an employee at the same location reported that a man was entering and exiting the restroom with minors. Officers arrived on the scene and took Seiders into custody, believing him to also be the man from the previous incident.
Upon Seiders’ arrest, The Palm Desert Station Investigations Bureau served 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,” reads a news release by the Sheriff’s Office, as per KESQ.
He’s being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in lieu of $1 million bail and is scheduled to return to court for a felony settlement conference on Tuesday (April 22) at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, California.
A post shared by The New Pornographers (@thenewpornographers)
Earlier this morning (April 18), the band issued a statement on their Instagram account, which reads: “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.”
Seiders joined the New Pornographers in 2014, 17 years after they initially formed.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
The world’s defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what’s new and what’s next since 1952.
When you purchase through affiliate links on NME.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn more
© 2025 NME is part of NME Networks.