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Ex–New Hampshire Lawmaker Stacie‑Marie Laughton Pleads Guilty in Federal Child-Exploitation Case

Sentencing in February could bring a penalty of up to 30 years under federal child‑exploitation statutes.

Overview

  • Laughton entered a guilty plea in Boston federal court to charges tied to sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse images.
  • Prosecutors say daycare employee Lindsay Groves took explicit photos of children about 3 to 5 years old at Creative Minds in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and sent them to Laughton in 2022.
  • Investigators cite thousands of text messages in which Laughton requested images and discussed sexual interest in the children.
  • The case came to light after Laughton forwarded images to a third person who immediately notified Nashua police, according to the criminal complaint.
  • Groves has already pleaded guilty; both were indicted in August 2023 and face potential fines and lifetime supervised release in addition to prison terms.