Robert “Bobby” Edwards, the 50-year-old co-creator of the viral bathroom accessory “Squatty Potty,” has been arrested and charged with receipt of child pornography following a multiyear federal investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah announced Monday.
Mr. Edwards, a resident of Ivins, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 10 and arrested two days later in Washington County. He made his initial court appearance Monday in St. George, where he pleaded not guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday at the U.S. District Courthouse in St. George.
A four-year federal investigation
The case traces back to March 2021, when an undercover FBI agent infiltrated an online group chat used to trade child sexual abuse material. A link posted in the group chat led agents to a Zoom meeting where child sexual abuse videos were being streamed. Investigators say Mr. Edwards was visible on camera during the session and was tied to the account through his IP address, which placed him in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, at the time.
In May 2025, PayPal flagged four transactions on Mr. Edwards’ account as potentially related to illegal purchases of child sexual abuse material. Investigators later linked those payments to John Carver, a United Kingdom man who was subsequently arrested and convicted of distributing child sexual abuse material and blackmailing buyers. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Carver advertised illicit content on the messaging app Telegram before sending buyers a PayPal link for payment, followed by a link to the purchased files.
On Nov. 4, 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at Mr. Edwards’ residence and seized multiple electronic devices, including a cell phone from his vehicle that allegedly contained multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse material, some of which had been downloaded just two weeks prior. Additional devices recovered from his home also allegedly contained child sexual abuse material files.
When agents spoke with Mr. Edwards, he disclosed a methamphetamine addiction and said he had recently been released from rehabilitation. He denied viewing any child sexual abuse material and invoked his right to counsel. Court records also show he pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses in Utah’s 5th District Court in November 2023.
From ’Shark Tank’ fame to federal court
Mr. Edwards co-founded Squatty Potty with his mother, Judy Edwards, in 2011 after a therapist recommended she try squatting while using the toilet to address constipation. Mr. Edwards, then working as a designer and contractor, built a prototype step stool and the family began selling the product online.
The duo appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank” in 2014, striking a deal with investor Lori Greiner for $350,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in the company. The product became one of the show’s most successful, generating more than $260 million in lifetime retail sales. A viral 2015 marketing campaign featuring a unicorn helped cement the brand’s mainstream recognition, racking up more than 42 million views.
The Edwards family sold Squatty Potty to consumer goods company Aterian, Inc. in May 2021. The sale price has been reported differently across sources, with figures ranging from $19 million to $30 million.
Company distances itself from founder
Aterian moved quickly to separate itself from its product’s co-founder following the indictment. In a statement on the Squatty Potty website, the company said all associations with Mr. Edwards “ceased” following the 2021 acquisition and that he holds no role in the company.
“We are deeply disturbed by the indictment against Edwards. The nature of these allegations is abhorrent and wholly inconsistent with our company’s values,” Aterian said in a statement. References to Mr. Edwards’ family’s role in the company were also removed from the brand’s website.
Beyond his business ventures, Mr. Edwards had also been a prominent figure in the arts community in St. George, helping launch the Kayenta Center for the Arts in 2011 and serving as its first director.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton and investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. If convicted, Mr. Edwards faces significant federal prison time and extended supervised release under federal law.
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