Former New Hampshire state representative Stacie Laughton, the first openly transgender legislator elected in the state, has pleaded guilty in connection to a case involving child sexual abuse images.
According to investigators, the disturbing images depicted children believed to be between 3 and 5 years old. Laughton was arrested last year following an extensive investigation by Nashua Police and state cybercrime units, which uncovered multiple explicit files traced to her devices.
Background:
Laughton previously made headlines as the first openly transgender state legislator in New Hampshire but resigned from office multiple times following prior criminal charges, including credit card fraud and false reports to emergency services.
The plea agreement could carry significant prison time under state sentencing guidelines. Prosecutors emphasized the “severity and disturbing nature” of the evidence, calling the case “one of the most egregious violations of public trust.”
Sentencing is expected in the coming weeks.
