In a statement, the band said they are “absolutely shocked” and “have immediately severed all ties” with Seiders
Joe Seiders, the drummer for the New Pornographers, was arrested for possession of child pornography, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release.
A spokesperson for the New Pornographers told Pitchfork: “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.”
According to the news release, police officers were dispatched to investigate “a suspicious circumstance” in Palm Desert, California, on April 7. Upon arrival, an 11-year-old boy told officers that “an unknown male adult recorded him on a cell phone while he was using the restroom at the location.” Per Pitchfork, which reviewed online records, the incident occurred at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Coachella Valley.
Police responded to another incident at the same location two days later. An employee told the officers that “a male was entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males at the business.” Deputies identified the suspect as 44-year-old Seiders and took him into custody.
Seiders was served search warrants for his residence, vehicle, and cell phone. Evidence was found implicating him in the two reported incidents, along with additional crimes, including possessing child pornography, per the report. He has been 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.
According to Pitchfork, he is set to appear in court on April 22.
