New Pornographers Drummer Arrested on Baby Pornography Fees

The New Pornographers have “instantly” severed ties with drummer Joe Seiders after the longtime member of the rock collective was arrested in Palm Desert, CA for possession of kid pornography.

In keeping with a press launch from the Riverside Sheriff’s workplace, Seiders was arrested after officers have been dispatched to research a report of suspicious exercise on April 7 at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant, the place an 11-year-old boy informed officers that an unknown man had recorded him on a mobile phone whereas he was utilizing the lavatory. Two days later, police mentioned an worker on the identical restaurant reported that the person was seen coming into and exiting the restroom with juvenile males.

“Believing the male was the suspect from the earlier incident, legislation enforcement was contacted. Upon arrival, deputies situated the suspect, recognized as 44-year-old Joseph Seiders of Palm Desert, and took him into custody,” learn the discharge. After an investigation, officers served search warrants on Seiders’ residence, car and mobile phone, the place they reportedly discovered proof implicating Seiders in each incidents and “further crimes,” which they mentioned included possessing youngster pornography.

Seiders was booked into the John Benoit Detention Heart in Indio, CA for possession of kid pornography, annoying/molesting a baby, invasion of privateness, and tried invasion of privateness. At press time a spokesperson for the band had not returned Billboard‘s request for extra info on the incident.

In an announcement on Instagram, the band wrote, “Everybody within the band is totally shocked, horrified and devastated by the information of the fees towards Joe Seiders — and now we have instantly severed all ties with him. Our hearts exit to everybody who has been impacted by his actions.”

Seiders joined the Canadian indie energy pop supergroup — which shaped in Vancouver in 1997 — in 2014, becoming a member of constitution members singer Neko Case, singer/guitarist Carl Newman and bassist John Collins. He appeared on their 2017 album Whiteout Circumstances, in addition to 2019’s Within the Morse Code of Brake Lights and 2023’s Proceed as a Visitor, in addition to their current single “Ballad of the Final Payphone.” The drummer is being held on the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility with bail set at $1 million and is scheduled to make his first look in courtroom on Tuesday (April 22).

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