The Utah entrepreneur who created the Squatty Potty is in jail after federal agents linked him to online accounts that purchased and viewed child sexual abuse materials.
After a multi-year investigation, a federal grand jury indicted Robert “Bobby” Edwards, 50, on a count of receipt of child pornography on Feb. 10, according to recently unsealed court papers. He was arrested in Washington County two days later and pleaded not guilty on Monday during an initial appearance.
The FBI began investigating Edwards, of Ivins, in 2021, prosecutors wrote in a document requesting Edwards be held in jail, when an agent joined a group chat that was “being used to trade child pornography.”
During one session, the agent clicked a Zoom link posted to the group chat and entered a virtual meeting room where attendees were watching child sexual abuse videos. Edwards, the agents alleged, was visible on camera during the screening. They linked Edwards to the account through his IP address, which showed he was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They also reportedly compared photos of Edwards to his Zoom profile image and the live video.
In May, prosecutors wrote, PayPal flagged four of Edwards’ transactions as possibly being related to child sexual abuse materials. Agents later learned that the transactions were between Edwards and John Carver, a United Kingdom man who was arrested days later, and ultimately convicted, for distributing the materials and blackmailing buyers.
Carver advertised the illicit content on the messaging app Telegram. He then sent a PayPal link for payment, followed by a link to the purchased files. Sometimes, prosecutors wrote, he distributed such materials in Zoom meetings, such as the one the agent witnessed in 2021.
Law enforcement searched Edwards’ home in November and found devices containing child sexual abuse materials, including some files downloaded less than two weeks previously, prosecutors alleged, as well as messages discussing the materials.
In one chat, Edwards allegedly wrote, “Hey brother, Id love to perv but into most all jiust not into babies. 5+ is preferred[.]”
Edwards told agents, the document stated, that “he had no recollection of viewing child pornography.” He also allegedly told authorities he was addicted to methamphetamine, had been receiving treatment and was living off money he made when Squatty Potty was acquired, plus “some Bitcoin.”
In an unrelated felony case, he pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses in Utah’s 5th District Court in November 2023. Records indicate that he signed up through a private probation company for two years of supervision.
Edwards created and co-founded Squatty Potty in the early 2010s. The toilet accessories took off, landing a deal with Shark Tank investor Lori Greiner in 2014 and developing a wider following a year later, after a successful ad featuring the brand’s mascot Dookie the unicorn. The ad has been viewed 42 million times.
Aterian, Inc. purchased Squatty Potty in 2021 for $19 million. The company reported more than 8 million stools sold as of 2022.
Squatty Potty representatives did not immediately respond to The Salt Lake Tribune’s request for comment on Tuesday. Edwards’ attorney also did not immediately respond on Tuesday.
A hearing to determine whether Edwards should remain jailed is scheduled for March 2 at the U.S. District Courthouse in St. George. In the meantime, he remains in custody at the Washington County Jail.