Robert Edwards
| Robert "Bobby" Edwards | |
| Born | Robert Edwards Template:Birth year and age |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Utah, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, inventor |
| Known for | Co-founding Squatty Potty |
Robert "Bobby" Edwards is an American entrepreneur and inventor from Southern Utah who co-founded Squatty Potty, a toilet stool product that gained widespread commercial attention after appearing on the television show Shark Tank. The product, designed to promote a more natural squatting posture during bowel movements, became a breakout consumer success and was recognized for its unconventional viral marketing campaigns. Edwards served as an original co-founder and creator of the Squatty Potty brand, which grew into a nationally recognized household product line.
In February 2026, Edwards was arrested and indicted on a federal charge in the District of Utah related to the alleged receipt of child sexual abuse material. The indictment, unsealed on February 23, 2026, alleged that Edwards received such material between certain dates. He pleaded not guilty to the charge at his initial court appearance.[1][2] The case drew significant media coverage owing to Edwards's public profile as a successful consumer product entrepreneur.
Career
Squatty Potty
Edwards was an original co-founder and creator of Squatty Potty, a toilet stool designed to elevate the user's feet during use of a toilet, thereby simulating a squatting position purported to aid in bowel movements. The product gained national attention after it was featured on the ABC television program Shark Tank, a reality show in which entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors.[3] The appearance on the show served as a significant catalyst for the brand's commercial growth, transforming Squatty Potty from a niche health product into a mainstream consumer item.
The Squatty Potty brand also became known for a distinctive and unconventional advertising campaign that went viral online. The marketing approach helped establish the product's name recognition well beyond typical bathroom accessories, contributing to the company's status as a breakout commercial success.[3]
Edwards was identified in multiple sources as a Southern Utah entrepreneur and was based in the St. George area of the state.[4] He was described as a 50-year-old Utah man at the time of his arrest in February 2026.[5]
Legal Proceedings
Federal Indictment (2026)
On February 23, 2026, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Utah announced that an indictment had been unsealed following the arrest of Edwards. The indictment charged Edwards with receiving child sexual abuse material, a federal offense.[1] According to the United States Department of Justice, Edwards was described as an "alleged Utah child predator" in the press release announcing the indictment.[1]
The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Edwards, identified as 50 years old, had been indicted on a federal charge of receiving images constituting child sexual abuse material.[5] ABC4 Utah reported that Edwards had been "federally indicted for purchasing child sexual abuse material," noting that the charges related to the acquisition of such material.[6]
St. George News, reporting from Edwards's home region, noted that the indictment was unsealed in the District of Utah and identified Edwards as a "Southern Utah entrepreneur, and original cofounder" of Squatty Potty.[4]
Plea and Court Appearance
Following his arrest, Edwards appeared in federal court and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of receiving child sexual abuse material. People magazine reported that Edwards pleaded not guilty after being charged with receiving child pornography, noting that the alleged conduct occurred during a specific time period.[2] The National Enquirer also reported Edwards's not guilty plea, describing him as "the Utah entrepreneur who gained national attention after his Squatty Potty toilet stool became a breakout success on Shark Tank."[3]
The case attracted significant media attention across local, regional, and national outlets, owing in large part to Edwards's public profile as the creator of a well-known consumer product. Coverage of the indictment and arrest appeared in publications including The Salt Lake Tribune, People, St. George News, ABC4 Utah, and the National Enquirer, among others.[5][2][4][6][3]
As of February 24, 2026, the case remained pending in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. Edwards had not been convicted of any crime, and under the American legal system, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.[1][2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Alleged Utah Child Predator and Creator of the "Squatty Potty" Indicted After Allegedly Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material".United States Department of Justice.2026-02-23.https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/alleged-utah-child-predator-and-creator-squatty-potty-indicted-after-allegedly-receiving.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Squatty Potty Creator Pleads Not Guilty After He's Charged with Receiving Child Pornography".People.2026-02-24.https://people.com/squatty-potty-creator-charged-child-sex-abuse-material-11913007.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Squatty Potty Inventor Robert Edwards Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Charge".National Enquirer.2026-02-24.https://nationalenquirer.com/squatty-potty-inventor-robert-edwards-pleads-not-guilty-to-federal-child-pornography-charge/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Southern Utahn, creator of the 'Squatty Potty' indicted on child sex abuse material charges".St. George News.2026-02-23.https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/arrests/southern-utahn-creator-of-the-squatty-potty-indicted-on-child-sex-abuse-material-charges/article_c1b5eb9e-593a-478d-a55f-2e1476f75be5.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Squatty Potty creator arrested in Utah on charge of buying child sexual abuse material".The Salt Lake Tribune.2026-02-24.https://www.sltrib.com/news/2026/02/24/utah-squatty-potty-creator/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "'Squatty Potty' creator federally indicted for purchasing child sexual abuse material".ABC4 Utah.2026-02-24.https://www.abc4.com/news/crimes-against-children/squatty-potty-creator-csam/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.