Former Transgender New Hampshire State Rep. Pleads Guilty in Connection to Child Sex Crimes

A former New Hampshire state representative who is transgender pleaded guilty this week to a federal charge of sexual exploitation of children, prosecutors said.

Stacie Laughton, 41, of Nashua, admitted to the charge in connection with an investigation that began in 2023. Laughton, who was elected to the New Hampshire House three times and resigned twice previously over separate legal issues, faces a statutory prison term of 15 to 30 years, plus supervised release and fines. A judge will determine the final sentence using federal sentencing guidelines.

The case also involves Laughton’s former intimate partner and daycare worker, Lindsay Groves, who pleaded guilty to related charges after investigators say sexually explicit photos of children were taken at the daycare where Groves worked and shared with Laughton. According to court filings, a preliminary forensic review of Groves’ phone uncovered extensive communications and images that prompted the federal prosecution.

Federal authorities say the investigation produced substantial digital evidence and the defendants cooperated with prosecutors in bringing the case to court. Groves faces separate counts of sexual exploitation and distribution of child pornography.

U.S. officials emphasized the seriousness of crimes involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors and noted that sentences in these cases reflect that gravity. The matter remains before the federal district court as sentencing proceedings move forward.

WMUR reported:

Former New Hampshire state Rep. Stacie Laughton pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to charges including sexual exploitation of children in a child sex abuse images case.

The plea comes after her former partner, Lindsay Groves, admitted last month to taking sexually explicit photos of children at the Massachusetts day care where she worked and sending them to Laughton.

Federal investigators said four photos of children who appeared to be between 3 and 5 years old were sent to Laughton.

Officials said Laughton asked Groves for the photos and the two exchanged thousands of text messages about them.

Laughton was elected to the New Hampshire House three times but resigned twice over separate legal issues.