Squatty Potty millionaire founder Robert Edwards arrested in child pornography case

Federal prosecutors in Utah have unsealed an indictment against a southern Utah businessman known for co-creating the toilet stool brand Squatty Potty. A federal grand jury charged Robert Edwards, 50, of Ivins, earlier this month with receiving child sexual abuse material. Court records show he was arrested in Washington County and made an initial appearance in St George, where he pleaded not guilty. A magistrate judge ordered him held in custody pending further proceedings. The case is being handled in the District of Utah and is part of a wider federal effort targeting online child exploitation. Prosecutors stress that an indictment is an allegation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Federal prosecutors charge Squatty Potty founder Robert Edwards with receipt of child sexual abuse material

The indictment was returned on February 10 and unsealed days later. Edwards was arrested on February 12. During his first court appearance, he entered a not guilty plea and was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.According to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Utah, the alleged conduct began in March 2021 and continued through November 2025. The United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case for the District of Utah.

Investigation links online chat and payment records

Court filings state that in March 2021, an undercover agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation joined an online group chat believed to be used for trading child sexual abuse material. Investigators allege that users in the online meeting room streamed explicit videos, and that one of the visible participants was later identified as Edwards.The investigation continued over several years. In May 2025, agents reportedly identified four PayPal transactions linked to Edwards that were flagged as potentially related to child sexual abuse material purchases. Authorities say that information formed part of the basis for further action.

Search warrant leads to seizure of electronic devices

On November 4, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Edwards’s person and at his residence. Agents seized a mobile phone from his vehicle. Prosecutors allege that the device contained multiple explicit images and videos involving minors, including files downloaded shortly before the search.Additional electronic devices were taken from the residence. Court documents state that investigators located further files believed to contain child sexual abuse material.

The case forms part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative

The prosecution is being brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child exploitation. The programme coordinates federal, state and local resources aimed at identifying suspects and protecting victims.A detention hearing is scheduled for early March in St George. The legal process will now move through pretrial proceedings. For now, the allegations remain before the court, where the burden of proof rests with prosecutors.