Squatty Potty Co-Creator Robert Edwards Arrested in Utah on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

Utah: Robert Edwards, a 50-year-old multimillionaire entrepreneur from Ivins, Utah, and co-creator of the toilet-stool brand Squatty Potty, has been arrested and indicted on charges of receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), according to U.S. federal authorities.

The case has sent shockwaves through the consumer products industry and the entrepreneurial community in southern Utah, where Edwards was widely regarded as a self-made businessman. He gained prominence after launching Squatty Potty in 2011 with his mother, turning a simple plastic footstool designed to improve toilet posture into a globally recognised brand. His personal fortune and public profile grew steadily, with media frequently describing him as a multimillionaire investor.

According to federal prosecutors, Edwards’ legal troubles stem from an investigation that unfolded over several years. Authorities say federal agents first encountered him in 2021 while infiltrating an online messaging group allegedly used to exchange child sexual abuse material. Investigators later identified accounts linked to Edwards as participants in the group.

The probe intensified in 2025 when financial monitoring systems flagged several digital payments made through PayPal that were suspected to be connected to the purchase of illegal imagery. This led to a search warrant for Edwards’ residence in Ivins, a small city in Washington County near St. George.

In November 2025, investigators reportedly seized multiple electronic devices, including a mobile phone and storage media. A subsequent forensic examination allegedly uncovered explicit images and videos involving minors, as well as evidence that Edwards knowingly received such material between March 2021 and November 2025.

On February 10, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Edwards with receipt of child sexual abuse material, a felony under U.S. law. He was arrested two days later in Washington County. Edwards entered a plea of not guilty during his initial appearance on February 23 in federal court in St. George. A detention hearing is scheduled for early March to determine whether he will remain in custody pending trial or be released under specific conditions.

Under the U.S. federal system, receipt of child sexual abuse material is a serious felony offense that can carry lengthy prison sentences and extended periods of supervised release if a conviction is secured. The case remains in its early procedural stages, and no findings of guilt have been made.

The allegations have reverberated beyond the courtroom. Squatty Potty’s origin story — a family-built business that turned an unconventional household product into a major commercial success — had been widely celebrated in business circles. Company representatives have not issued detailed public statements following the arrest, noting that the charges relate to Edwards personally and not to the company’s operations.

The arrest also comes amid heightened scrutiny of online exploitation crimes across the United States, with law enforcement agencies increasingly targeting encrypted messaging platforms, peer-to-peer networks and digital payment systems allegedly used to facilitate the acquisition of illegal content.

The case now moves into the pre-trial phase, where prosecutors are expected to present digital forensic evidence, and defence attorneys are likely to challenge its interpretation and admissibility. If convicted, Edwards could face substantial prison time and strict post-release monitoring, including restrictions on internet use.

What was once a story of entrepreneurial success has now shifted into a high-profile federal criminal case that could carry life-altering consequences.

This article is written by Aditya Kumar Singh, an intern with Deccan Chronicle