(Concord, New Hampshire) – Stacie Marie Laughton, the first openly transgender person elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, has pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges involving very young children, according to court records.
Prosecutors say the case involved children as young as three years old. Investigators alleged that Laughton’s partner secretly took nude photos of children between the ages of three and five inside a daycare bathroom and then sent the images to Laughton.
Authorities say the pair exchanged thousands of text messages discussing the children. Court filings state that some of those messages included requests from Laughton seeking access to sexually abuse the children.
The charges stem from a broader investigation into the alleged exploitation of minors and the exchange of explicit images.
Laughton now faces up to 30 years in prison under the terms of the charges.
Laughton had previously made history after being elected to the New Hampshire legislature and was widely known as the first openly transgender person chosen to serve in the state’s House. The case has drawn significant attention due to both the severity of the allegations and Laughton’s public profile.
Sentencing is expected to take place at a later date.
