Joe Seiders has been taken into custody after being accused of possessing child pornography, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Everything changed quickly for the New Pornographers when news broke about Joe, who used to play drums and keyboards with them; suddenly, the band announced, “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.” After this statement, it was clear they wanted nothing more to do with him.
The story began on April 7 at a Chick-fil-A in Palm Desert—police showed up because someone thought something strange was going on. An 11-year-old boy told officers that some man he didn’t know had filmed him with a phone while he was in the restroom. Two days later (yes, at that same Chick-fil-A), an employee reported seeing a guy going in and out of the bathroom with young boys. Police figured out it was Joe Seiders and arrested him right there.
Fans feel really upset when people they look up to do terrible things.
After his arrest, police searched everywhere: his house, car, even his phone—finding proof that connected him not just to what happened at Chick-fil-A but also other crimes.
Joe now faces one felony charge for having child pornography plus several misdemeanors like annoying or molesting a child and invasion of privacy; he said he’s not guilty for all these accusations so far. His bail? A giant $1 million. He’ll be back in court on April 22.
He’d joined New Pornographers after their album Brill Bruisers came out in 2014 (remember when Kurt Dahle left?), played drums on Whiteout Conditions, In the Morse Code of Brake Lights, Continue as a Guest, plus “Ballad of the Last Payphone,” touring right until everything fell apart.
If you or someone you care about needs help dealing with sexual assault:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
https://rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line
SMS: Text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741
