Squatty Potty Founder Robert Edwards Faces Federal Child Pornography Charges
Robert "Bobby" Edwards, the multimillionaire entrepreneur who gained fame as the inventor of the Squatty Potty bathroom stool, has been indicted on federal charges of receiving child sex abuse materials. The arrest, which occurred in Utah on February 12, 2026, follows a detailed investigation by the FBI and unsealed court documents that reveal disturbing allegations.
Details of the Allegations and Investigation
According to prosecutors, Edwards faces a charge of receipt of child pornography, with allegations that he knowingly received multiple images depicting child sex abuse between March 2021 and November 2025. The investigation began when an undercover FBI agent joined an online chat group used to trade such materials in March 2021. During one meeting, members of the group viewed a collection of videos depicting child sex abuse, and many participants' faces were visible, leading agents to allegedly identify Edwards.
Unsealed court documents, obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune, indicate that Edwards' home was raided late last year, where agents uncovered child sex abuse materials. The files included messages that Edwards had allegedly sent in private chat rooms. One message read, "Hey brother, Id (sic) love to perv but into most all jiust (sic) not into babies. 5+ is preferred."
Financial Transactions and International Links
Further evidence emerged from financial records, with four transactions made by Edwards flagged by PayPal as possibly related to child sex abuse materials. A probe into these transactions revealed that they were allegedly sent from Edwards to a man in the United Kingdom. That man was later arrested by British Police and convicted on counts of distributing indecent images of a child, making indecent images of a child, and blackmailing those who purchased the images.
Edwards was linked to the online account via his IP address, which indicated he was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, at the time of the alleged activities. Despite this, Edwards told agents that "he had no recollection of viewing child pornography."
Edwards' Background and Business Success
Edwards rocketed to fame as the co-founder of Squatty Potty, a toilet stool designed to correct users' posture while they go to the bathroom. He appeared on the television show Shark Tank, where he received a $350,000 investment from shark Lori Greiner, known as the "Queen of QVC." His business was later purchased by Aterian in 2021 for $19 million.
At the time of his arrest, Edwards was living on the proceeds from the sale, according to the documents viewed by The Tribune. He was also receiving treatment for an addiction to methamphetamine. Prior to launching Squatty Potty in 2011, Edwards worked as a web producer for the Fox Broadcasting Company from 2002 until 2004 and later became the owner of Rose Concrete Coatings in 2005.
Legal Proceedings and Response
Edwards has pleaded not guilty to the charges of receiving sexually explicit images of a child. His detention hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2026. The Independent has contacted Squatty Potty and Aterian for comment, but no statements have been released at this time.
This case highlights the serious nature of the allegations against a once-prominent entrepreneur, with federal authorities continuing to pursue justice in what they describe as a disturbing pattern of behavior.
