The former drummer for the indie power-pop group the New Pornographers was being held Friday in lieu of $1 million bail on allegations of recording a minor in a public restroom in Palm Desert and possessing child pornography.
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Joe Seiders, 44, of Palm Desert was arrested April 9 and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of invasion of privacy, attempted invasion of privacy, annoying/molesting a child and possession of child pornography, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies from the Palm Desert station responded to a report of suspicious activity around 4 p.m. April 7 in the 73000 block of Dinah Shore Drive, sheriff's officials said.
Sheriff's Sgt. Daniel Milbrandt said deputies interviewed an 11-year- old boy regarding a man who allegedly recorded the child on a cell phone inside a nearby restroom.
Two days later, deputies received another report from an employee at a nearby business who said a man was allegedly seen entering and exiting a restroom with several young males, authorities said.
Deputies identified and arrested Seiders at the scene, Milbrandt said.
Fronted by AC Newman and the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Neko Case, the New Pornographers have a catalog dating back 25 years. Most of the band's members are Canadian, although Seiders, who joined in 2014, is American.
After the arrest was reported, the New Pornographers issued a statement reading: "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."
Details about the interactions between the suspect and juvenile males inside the restroom were not disclosed.
A subsequent search of Seiders' residence turned up evidence tying him to both incidents, along with possessing child pornography, sheriff's officials said.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims.
Anyone with information regarding the ongoing investigation was urged to contact Investigator Inguez at 760-836-1600.
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