Robert Edwards, the 50-year-old co-creator of the viral bathroom product “Squatty Potty,” has been federally indicted on charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Edwards, a resident of Ivins, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 10, 2026, and taken into custody two days later on February 12.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed Edwards faces one count of receipt of child pornography.
Edwards entered a plea of not guilty during his initial court appearance and was subsequently remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.
Edwards, along with his mother Judy Edwards, founded “Squatty Potty,” a bathroom aid device marketed as helping users relieve themselves in a more natural position.
The product gained national recognition after the founders appeared on the television program “Shark Tank” and secured a deal with investors on the show.
The company also became widely known online through several viral advertising campaigns that attracted millions of views.
In 2021, the Edwards family sold “Squatty Potty” to Aterian, Inc.
Federal investigators began building their case as far back as March 2021, when an FBI agent infiltrated an online group known to facilitate the trading of CSAM.
A participant in that group posted a link to a Zoom video call, and upon entering, the agent witnessed participants actively streaming CSAM.
During that Zoom session, investigators identified an adult male on the call and subsequently linked the account information to Edwards, who had joined the meeting from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The investigation continued, and by May 2025, FBI investigators had gathered evidence suggesting Edwards used his personal PayPal account to purchase CSAM.
Records indicated he had conducted multiple financial transactions with individuals in other countries who had previously been convicted of CSAM-related offenses, reported ABC4.
On November 4, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant and seized Edwards’ cell phone. When asked to unlock the device,
Edwards allegedly refused to comply, and the phone locked itself after too many failed access attempts.
Edwards agreed to speak with investigators and identified himself as the former owner of “Squatty Potty,” stating that he had sold the business and had since been living on the proceeds and Bitcoin holdings.
During that conversation, Edwards disclosed a methamphetamine addiction to law enforcement and said he had recently completed a stint in rehabilitation.
Edwards denied any involvement with CSAM and invoked his right to legal counsel.
Upon gaining lawful access to the phone, investigators discovered multiple files containing CSAM.
Additional electronic devices recovered from Edwards’ home and vehicle also allegedly contained CSAM depicting young children.
Evidence recovered from those devices also allegedly indicated that Edwards had purchased the files from an individual through the encrypted messaging application Telegram.
Edwards’ detention hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. in St. George, Utah.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton is handling the prosecution. The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, St. George Resident Agency is leading the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a federal initiative launched in 2006 with the stated mission to “combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.”
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