The man behind Squatty Potty, a product that turned an everyday bathroom routine into a multimillion-dollar business, is now facing federal criminal charges involving possession of child sexual abuse material.
As confirmed by People, Robert Edwards, identified by authorities as the inventor associated with the Squatty Potty brand, has pleaded not guilty after being accused of receiving child sexual abuse material.
A federal grand jury in Utah indicted Edwards, 50, on February 10. He appeared in court in St. George on February 23, where he entered a not guilty plea.
Prosecutors allege that between March 2021 and November 2025, Edwards knowingly received multiple explicit images involving minors.
According to court documents, the investigation began when an undercover FBI agent infiltrated an online group chat believed to be used for distributing illegal content. Authorities say Edwards was identified as a participant through that operation.
In May 2025, investigators also flagged PayPal transactions allegedly tied to the purchase of the material. On November 4, 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at his home in Ivins, Utah, where they seized electronic devices, including a phone that allegedly contained explicit images and videos involving minors.
Edwards remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for March 2.
The case has drawn attention in part because of Edwards’s connection to Squatty Potty, a product that has grown into a widely recognized brand since its 2011 debut.
Per The Guardian, the device, a U-shaped plastic stool designed to wrap around the base of a toilet, promotes a more squat-like posture by elevating the user’s feet. The concept is based on changing body positioning to ease bowel movements and reduce straining.
What began as a practical solution developed at home eventually turned into a major commercial success. After gaining traction through a Shark Tank appearance, Squatty Potty expanded rapidly, selling millions of units and becoming a household fixture across the country.
Its rise was fueled in part by a viral 2015 ad campaign featuring a unicorn producing rainbow soft-serve ice cream, a marketing move that helped push the brand into mainstream pop culture.
The product also gained attention through celebrity endorsements and public mentions. Figures like Howard Stern spoke openly about using it, while others, including Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Curry, and actress Sally Field, were among those associated with promoting or praising the product as it grew in popularity.
If convicted, Edwards faces severe federal penalties.
If you suspect child abuse or human trafficking, there are multiple ways to get help or report concerns. You can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453), which is available 24/7 and offers confidential support in over 170 languages. You can also text or chat via childhelphotline.org.
For cases involving exploitation or trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Hotline is available at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting 233733 (BEFREE). Online reports can be submitted via report.cybertip.org, operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.