A former New Hampshire state representative was sentenced to over three decades in federal prison on charges of receiving nude photos of children from a Massachusetts daycare. Stacie Marie Laughton, 41, from Nashua, received a sentence of more than 33 years after pleading guilty to the sexual exploitation of children. This report was confirmed by WCVB.
Laughton obtained the illicit images from Lindsay Groves, 40, of Hudson, New Hampshire. Groves, who was Laughton’s former intimate partner, was sentenced earlier this month to 22 years in prison.
“Former Democratic New Hampshire Representative Stacie Marie Laughton admitted guilt in a child exploitation case,” stated the Nashua Police Department.
Groves, previously employed at the Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distributing child pornography. This was outlined in a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Authorities reported that Groves took photos of prepubescent children in a private bathroom during routine diaper changes between May 2022 and June 2023. Groves then sent these photos to Laughton via text.
A forensic examination of the cellphones of both Laughton and Groves revealed over 10,000 text messages exchanged between them in one month during 2023. Court documents showed that these messages included discussions and transfers of explicit images of children, with victims as young as three to five years old.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed all the affected children were identified, and law enforcement contacted their families.
Hillsborough County jail confirmed to NH Journal that Laughton is being housed in the male population. Creative Minds Early Learning Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office did not respond to requests for comments.
Alexandra Koch, a Fox News Digital journalist, covers breaking news and major national events, including recent natural disasters and attacks.