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State’s first transgender state rep pleads guilty to sexual exploitation of children

November 7, 2025 | | Print Article

Former New Hampshire state Rep. Stacie Marie Laughton, a biological male who identifies as a woman, has pleaded guilty in federal court to sexual exploitation of children.

The Democrat’s plea in the child sex abuse images case came after his former partner, Lindsay Groves, admitted last month to taking sexually explicit photos of children at day care where she worked and sending them to Laughton, WMUR reported.

As seen in the photo below, U. S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) took an interest in helping elect Laughton:

Groves worked at Creative Minds in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, according to the Department of Justice. She admitted to taking four photos of children who appeared to be between 3 and 5 years old.

“It is alleged that, between May 2022 and June 2023, Groves took nude images of children at the day care and sent the photos to Laughton,” the DOJ said in charging documents. “Specifically, Groves allegedly used natural bathroom breaks for the children (routine diaper/pull-up changes prior to “naptime”) to take multiple photos of the prepubescent children in a private bathroom and then send the photos to the individual via text message.

Groves and Laughton were indicted on three counts each of sexual exploitation of children. Groves is also charged with one count of distribution of child sexual abuse images, according to The Union Leader.

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“According to court documents, a preliminary forensic review of Groves’s cellphone allegedly revealed over 10,000 text messages between Laughton and Groves that included discussion about, and transfer of, explicit photographs that Groves had taken of children while employed at Creative Minds, including at least four sexually explicit images of children who appear to be approximately 3 to 5 years old, as well as explicit descriptions of sex with each other and others, including children,” the newspaper reported.

Laughton was reportedly elected to the New Hampshire House three times and resigned twice due to legal issues, including three felony convictions in 2008 for credit card fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud. He faces up 15-30 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of children, from five years to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:

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Tom Tillison
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