Squatty Potty Co-Inventor Faces Federal Child Pornography Charges
The co-inventor of the Squatty Potty, a product famously featured on the ABC television show Shark Tank, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly receiving sexually explicit images of a child. According to a Monday release from the U.S. Department of Justice, an unsealed indictment details the allegations against the business owner.
Arrest and Investigation Details
Federal authorities arrested 50-year-old Robert Edwards of Ivins, Utah, earlier this month after a four-and-a-half-year investigation. The DOJ release states that Edwards allegedly and knowingly received multiple images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The investigation began in March 2021 when an undercover FBI agent joined a group chat used to trade CSAM. Participants in the chat were viewing abuse videos streaming on the main screen, and the agent observed a man later identified as Edwards among them.
In May of last year, FBI agents suspected Edwards was purchasing CSAM via PayPal, which prompted them to execute a search warrant in November. During the search, agents seized a cell phone from Edwards' vehicle. The DOJ described the phone as containing multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse material, with some files downloaded just two weeks before the warrant was executed. Additional CSAM files were found during a subsequent search of Edwards' residence.
Legal Proceedings and Background
Edwards was arrested on February 12 and has pleaded not guilty to a charge of receipt of child pornography. His next court date is scheduled for Monday in St. George, Utah. HuffPost reached out to Edwards' attorney for comment, but no immediate response was received.
Edwards is best known to Shark Tank fans as the co-creator of the Squatty Potty, a stool designed to prop up the legs to ease bowel movements. He and his mother, the co-inventor, secured a deal with Shark Lori Greiner in November 2014. This partnership helped the product achieve total lifetime retail sales exceeding $260 million. HuffPost also contacted Greiner, who reportedly owns 20% of Squatty Potty, for comment, but no immediate response was provided.
The case highlights the serious nature of the charges and the extensive federal investigation involved. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of combating child exploitation, with this indictment serving as a stark reminder of the legal consequences for such alleged activities.
