More alleged victims found, new charges filed against popular rock band drummer

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(KTLA) — Officials announced Friday that two more minors were identified as victims in a child porn case against Joseph Seiders, drummer for the Canadian indie rock band The New Pornographers.

Seiders, a 44-year-old Palm Desert resident, was arrested on April 9 after allegedly recording multiple boys using the restroom at a Chick-fil-A.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, charges involving the two new victims were filed against Seiders on June 5 and were unrelated to the April incident.

These additional charges against Seiders include committing lewd acts with a minor by force or fear, using or coercing a minor to produce child pornography, possession of child pornography, annoying/molesting a child and invasion of privacy, according to the sheriff’s office.

Officials did not reveal the ages or genders of the two new victims.

Joseph Seiders
Joseph Seiders is shown in an undated photo provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Seiders has been in custody since his April 9 arrest, which happened two days after an 11-year-old boy told deputies that an adult man recorded him as he was using the bathroom in the fast food restaurant located in the 73000 block of Dinah Shore Drive.

After obtaining a search warrant, police searched the drummer’s home, vehicle and cell phone and said they found “evidence was located implicating him in the two reported incidents, along with additional crimes, including possessing child pornography.”

The 44-year-old was 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. 

Seiders’ band, The New Pornographers, issued a statement on April 17 via Instagram.

“Everyone in the band is absolutely shocked, horrified and devastated by the news of the charges of Joe Seiders- we have immediately severed all ties with him,” the statement said. “Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions.”

The sheriff’s office said this is an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information on these crimes is asked to call Investigator Iniguez at 760-836-1600.

Christine Samra contributed to this report.

Crime

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