Former Transgender New Hampshire State Rep. Pleads Guilty in Connection to Child Sex Crimes
transgender New Hampshire state legislator Stacie Laughton pleads guilty to sexual exploitation of children
A New Hampshire Democrat and former state legislator, Stacie Laughton — a biological male who identifies as transgender — has pleaded guilty to charges of child sexual exploitation, federal officials announced this week.
Laughton, 41, of Nashua, served three terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives before resigning twice amid previous legal troubles. He now faces up to 30 years in prison following a plea agreement related to child sex crimes investigated by federal authorities.
According to the Department of Justice, Laughton and his former partner, Lindsay Groves, were charged in 2023 with the sexual exploitation of children. Groves, who worked at a daycare facility called Creative Minds, admitted to taking sexually explicit photographs of children under her care and sending them to Laughton.
Investigators said a forensic review of Groves’ cellphone uncovered more than 10,000 text messages between the pair. The communications included discussions and exchanges of explicit photos of children—some appearing to be between three and five years old—alongside graphic conversations about sexual acts involving minors.
Groves was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distributing child pornography. Federal prosecutors noted that the child exploitation charge carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a possible maximum of 30 years, as well as up to a lifetime of supervised release and fines of up to $250,000.
Laughton pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to charges of sexual exploitation of children. Groves had previously admitted her role in the crimes last month. Officials confirmed that Laughton actively requested the explicit photos from Groves and engaged in extensive messaging about the abuse.
Laughton, once celebrated as the first openly transgender elected official in New Hampshire, was elected three times to the state legislature but resigned twice due to unrelated criminal matters.
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