PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A Palm Desert man was arrested and charged with possessing child pornography after separate incidents in the bathroom of a local restaurant, authorities announced.
Joseph Seiders, 44, of Palm Desert, was arrested on April 9 at the Chick-fil-A on Dinah Shore Drive in Palm Desert, according to county jail records.
Seiders had been a drummer for the Canadian indie rock band “The New Pornographers” since 2014. The band performed at Coachella in 2007 and 2011.
A spokesperson for The New Pornographers provided a statement Thursday night, saying, “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.”
Sieders’ arrest came after two separate incidents were reported at the bathroom of the restaurant, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
The first incident was reported just before 4 p.m. on Monday, April 7. Authorities said an 11-year-old told deputies that a man recorded him on a cell phone while he was using the restroom.
Two days later, at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, deputies received a report from an employee that a man was entering and exiting the restroom with minors. Deputies responded and were able to take the suspect, identified as Seiders, into custody. Investigators believed Seiders was the same suspect in both incidents.
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.
Seiders was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio. He was charged with possession of minor in sexual act, annoying/molesting a child, conceal camera of any type w/ intent to invade privacy, and attempted to conceal camera without consent.
He is scheduled to return to court for a felony settlement conference Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
The investigation remains ongoing. The Riverside Sheriff’s Office believes there may be additional victims and encourages anyone with information related to this investigation to contact Investigator Iniguez at 760–836–1600 or Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatched at 951–776–1099.
Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.
