Robert Edwards, the creator of the Squatty Potty, was arrested for allegedly purchasing and receiving a collection of images of child sexual abuse material.
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The U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Utah announced on Monday that the 50-year-old bought and was given the material between March 2021 and November 2025. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 10 and arrested in Washington County, Utah, two days later.
How Did This Happen?
According to the New York Post, an undercover FBI agent joined a group chat used to trade child sexual abuse material in March 2021.
Within the chat, users could join a meeting room to view the streamed content. Edward and other participants were visible in the meeting, according to the Department of Justice.
In May of last year, federal agents learned that Edwards may have purchased more child sexual abuse material using his PayPal account. It was flagged for several suspicious transactions.
Then, in November, authorities executed a search warrant on Edwards and his home. They confiscated a cellphone from his vehicle that "contained multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse material." Some was downloaded only two weeks before the search, claimed officials.
Additional devices were taken from the Squatty Potty creator's home, and more material was discovered. The investigation was part of Project Safe Childhood. It's an initiative launched in 2006 to "combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse."
What Happens to the Co-Founder of Squatty Potty Now?
Edwards has pleaded not guilty to receipt of child pornography charges in his initial court appearance in St. George, Utah, on his indictment. Judge Paul Kohler ordered that Edwards be held without bail.
Edwards co-founded Squatty Potty with his mother, a devout Mormon, in 2011 to address the latter's issues with constipation. (According to The Guardian, Edwards left the church as a teen when he came out as gay.) He pitched the footstool on the reality show Shark Tank, which led to Lori Greiner investing in the company. The family then became millionaires.
Edwards returns to court on March 2 for a detention hearing.
