ST. GEORGE, Utah (TCN) — The inventor of the Squatty Potty has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly purchasing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
KRON reports a grand jury indicted 50-year-old Robert Edwards on Feb. 10. He was arrested Feb. 12 and faces one count of receipt of child pornography. According to the U.S. attorney’s office, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Court documents obtained by KRON state that an FBI agent joined an online group known for trading CSAM in 2021. When the agent clicked the Zoom link in the group, the members were viewing CSAM. One of the participants on the call was alleged to be Edwards, who had joined from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, an investigation found. In May 2025, FBI investigators determined Edwards had allegedly purchased CSAM using PayPal.
On Nov. 4, 2025, a warrant was issued for the seizure of Edwards’ cellphone, KRON reports. He allegedly refused to cooperate when asked to unlock his phone and the phone locked due to too many failed attempts to access it. He told investigators he was living off bitcoin and the proceeds of selling his business. He allegedly also told authorities he was addicted to methamphetamine and had recently been released from rehab.
Authorities gained access to Edwards’ phone and found CSAM images that Edwards had allegedly purchased from someone on the messaging app Telegram, KRON reports. According to the U.S. attorney’s office, law enforcement found additional CSAM files when they searched Edwards’ home.
Edwards invented the Squatty Potty with his wife, Judy Edwards. The product gained success after being pitched on “Shark Tank.” According to the website, the Squatty Potty is a stool “uniquely designed to give you the best bathroom experience, the way nature intended.”
The website advises users that “Proper posture matters! Using a Squatty Potty helps align your body for a more natural and efficient elimination process. Just sit, elevate, and eliminate.” Edwards sold the company in 2021, per KRON.
Edwards’ next scheduled hearing is March 1, KRON reports.
