NASHUA, NH – A former New Hampshire state representative has been sentenced to more than three decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal child exploitation charges.
The Sentencing
Stacie Marie Laughton, 41, of Nashua, received a sentence of more than 33 years behind bars after pleading guilty to the sexual exploitation of children.
The sentencing follows a federal investigation into explicit images taken at a Massachusetts daycare facility and shared via text message.
Details of the Investigation
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Laughton received the explicit images from a former intimate partner, Lindsay Groves, 40, of Hudson, New Hampshire. Groves was employed at the Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and was sentenced earlier this month to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to similar charges.
Federal authorities stated that between May 2022 and June 2023, Groves took photos of children in a private bathroom during routine changes and sent them to Laughton.
Evidence Uncovered
A forensic analysis of the suspects’ cell phones revealed more than 10,000 text messages exchanged over a single month in 2023. Court documents confirmed that these messages included explicit discussions and transfers of images involving victims between the ages of 3 and 5.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that all children involved in the case have been identified, and law enforcement authorities have contacted their respective families.
