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Robert Edwards, the mind behind the popular Squatty Potty, finds himself embroiled in serious legal trouble. The Utah-based entrepreneur, who gained widespread recognition and financial success after his product was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank, is now facing federal charges related to child sex abuse materials.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah announced that Edwards has been charged with the receipt of child pornography. The 50-year-old was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 10 and taken into custody shortly thereafter in Washington County.
The charges against Edwards are grave. Prosecutors allege that between March 2021 and November 2025, he knowingly received multiple images depicting child sexual abuse. In response to these accusations, Edwards has entered a plea of not guilty.
The investigation into Edwards’ alleged activities began in March 2021 when an undercover FBI agent infiltrated a group chat dedicated to trading child sexual abuse material. Posing as a participant, the agent witnessed a series of disturbing videos being streamed for the group. Authorities claim that during this session, Edwards was identified among the visible participants in the online meeting room.
Edwards is accused of knowingly receiving “multiple images of child sexual abuse material,” according to prosecutors, between March 2021 and November 2025. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
As part of the investigation, in March 2021, an undercover FBI agent joined a group chat used to trade child sexual abuse material posing as an account holder. At one point, those in the online meeting room viewed a collection of child sex abuse material videos streamed on the main screen, authorities said. The other participants in the meeting were visible and investigators allegedly identified Edwards as one of them.
As the investigation continued, FBI agents discovered that Edwards was suspected of trying to purchase child sex abuse material as part of four transactions in May 2025 through his PayPal account, according to court documents outlined by prosecutors.
When a search warrant was executed at the entrepreneur’s home on Nov. 4, agents found “multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse material” on his phone. According to authorities, some of the materials were downloaded just two weeks prior. They also found additional child sexual abuse material files on other devices seized from the home.
In one message recovered by authorities, according to court documents obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune, Edwards allegedly wrote, “Hey brother, Id love to perv but into most all jiust not into babies. 5+ is preferred.”
When questioned by authorities, Edwards allegedly claimed “he had no recollection of viewing child pornography” and admitted to having an addiction to methamphetamine, per the court document.
The case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton, was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to prevent child sex exploitation and abuse.
Robert Edwards Rose to Fame After Creating Squatty Potty
Edwards is known for creating the Squatty Potty, a plastic toilet stool created to ease bowel movements. He developed the bathroom aid after trying to find a way to help his mother Judy with her constipation, according to a CNBC profile.
Together, the pair pitched the product on Shark Tank and received a deal from investor Lori Greiner. By 2017, the company’s sales had reached nearly $33 million.
The company was purchased by Aterian Inc. in 2021 for $19 million, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
In a statement to Oxygen Alterian said the company has “no affiliation, partnership, or ongoing relationship with Mr. Robert Edwards” and said he was simply part of a group, including private equity firms, that sold the asset in 2021.
“Following the completion of that acquisition, all associations with Edwards and his family ceased. He is not an employee, a partner, or a stakeholder in our company. Any claims to the contrary are categorically false,” the statement continued. “We are deeply disturbed by the indictment against Edwards. The nature of these allegations is abhorrent and wholly inconsistent with our company’s values. While the family was previously referenced on our website in a historical context, we have removed those references. They have no role in our brand’s present or future.”
Edwards is expected to appear at a detention hearing on March 2.