A 44-year-old man accused of recording a minor in a public restroom in Palm Desert and possessing child pornography was being held Friday in lieu of $1 million bail, authorities said.
Joseph Sieders 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 Sieders at the scene, Milbrandt said.
Details about the interactions between the suspect and the juvenile males inside the restroom were not disclosed.
A subsequent search of Sieders’ 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.