The New Pornographers drummer Joe Seiders has been arrested for possession of child abuse images.
The 44-year-old was taken into custody on April 9, after two separate incidents were reported at a restaurant in Palm Desert.
According to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in California, police were called to the eatery on April 7 after an 11-year-old boy alleged that an unknown adult male had recorded him on a phone while using the bathroom.
Two days later, they received a second call at the same restaurant, after an employee claimed that ‘a male was entering and exiting the restroom with juvenile males at the business’.
Upon arrival, officers located the musician – who has been with the New Pornographers for over a decade – and took him into custody, while his car, home and phone were searched.
‘Evidence was located implicating him in the two reported incidents, along with additional crimes, including possessing child pornography,’ the press release states.
Seiders has since been charged with possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child, invasion of privacy, and attempted invasion of privacy.
According to the Guardian, he is due in court on April 22, and his bail has been set at $1million.
The New Pornographers, also consisting of Neko Case, John Collins, Carl Newman, Todd Fancey and Kathryn Calder, was formed in 1997 – Seiders joined in 2014 as drummer and backing vocals.
They have released a string of hit albums in that time, including Mass Romantic, Together, Electric Version and Twin Cinema.
In the wake of Seiders’ arrest, the rock group issued a statement on Instagram, confirming they had cut ties with him.
‘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,’ the message read.
‘Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions.’
They also turned the comments off the post.
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