Stacie Laughton Child Exploitation Case Legal Update

NASHUA, N.H. | November 7 2025 — Stacie Marie Laughton, the first openly transgender person elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, pleaded guilty this week in federal court to charges tied to child exploitation.

The Charges

Federal prosecutors say Laughton, 39, born Barry Charles Laughton of Nashua, pled guilty in a case that started at a Massachusetts daycare. Laughtons for partner, Lindsay Groves, worked at the Creative Minds Early Learning Center in Tyngsborough. Groves sent Laughton explicit images of children aged three to five. Investigators say Laughton requested the photos and exchanged hundreds of messages with Groves over several months.

Both were arrested in 2023 and later indicted on three counts each of sexual exploitation of children. Groves also faced a separate charge for distributing child pornography. Laughton entered a guilty plea in federal court in Boston and is scheduled for sentencing in February 2026. Lauhton was been arrested and charged in previous cases dating back to 2010.

Each count carries up to thirty years in prison and mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Who is Laughton?

Laughton made history in 2012 as New Hampshire’s first openly transgender candidate elected to the legislature but resigned before taking office after prior felony convictions surfaced. She was elected again in 2020 and 2022 and resigned twice more following separate legal issues, including a 2022 stalking arrest in Nashua.

During the 2022 campaign, Laughton reportedly received support or assistance from national Democratic figures including Beto O’Rourke and Representative Eric Swalwell.

Court records show the full plea agreement has not yet been released publicly. Federal investigators continue to review evidence from the daycare case and have asked anyone with additional information to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston.

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