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New Hampshire’s first elected transgender-identifying state House member, Democrat Stacie Marie Laughton of Nashua, won’t have a happy Halloween this year.

Laughton, 41, born Barry Laughton, is set to appear in the United States District Court in Boston on Friday for a change of plea hearing in the child sex abuse image case that’s had him locked up for more than two years.

The Friday court date will likely see Laughton plead guilty to at least one of the three serious felony indictments against him.

The Halloween plea hearing comes weeks after his accomplice and lover, Lindsay Groves, 40, pleaded guilty for her role in the couple’s sick scheme. Groves used her position at a Massachusetts daycare to take explicit photos of the children she was supposed to be watching. Some of the victims were as young as three. Those photos were then shared via text message between the couple, who discussed raping children and hiding their crimes from the parents in thousands of grotesque notes.

Court records give a hint of the horrific Groves and Laughton Laughton relationship. In one text message, Laughton said there is nothing wrong with sexually abusing children.

“Oh, I know, but I just don’t wanna get in trouble. I mean, I want to do what we want to do because we like it and we approve of it, but others think this is wrong. Lots of parents don’t like people touching their kids, and it is against the law …” Laughton wrote in one exchange.

In another message, Laughton seems to admit to raping a child with Groves.

“I was asking because I know we’ve had some back-and-forth, and I know we initially said we do nothing with kids ever again, and you said you were afraid that if we had kids if they would go back and tell the parents the same with the kids you work with,” Laughton texted to Groves.

Earlier this month, Groves pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distribution of child pornography. Each count of sexual exploitation of a child carries a possible 15 to 30 years prison sentence. Groves could get another 20 years for the distribution of child pornography charge. Groves has a sentencing hearing set for February. 

Laughton is supposed to go on trial next week on three felony charges of the sexual exploitation of children. If the case does go to a jury, Groves would likely be a prosecution witness under her plea deal.

Groves took the plea deal after failing in her quest to be deemed too incompetent to stand trial. Groves and her legal team fought for more than a year to get her diagnosed as too mentally impaired to understand the charges or help in her own defense. But United States District Court Judge Dennis Saylor rejected that argument after hearing from defense and prosecution mental health experts. While Groves is mentally and emotionally handicapped, she knows what she is doing, Saylor ruled.

“In short, (Groves) has repeatedly shown that despite her many limitations, she is capable of ordered thinking and rational communication, and that she has the ability to navigate reasonably complex situations, including obtaining higher education and holding employment for extended periods. She understands the essential nature and potential consequences of the alleged crime, and can provide meaningful assistance to her defense,” Saylor wrote. 

Though Laughton was accepted by the New Hampshire Democratic Party as transgendered when he ran for office — state party chair Ray Buckley celebrated him as part of “the backbone of New Hampshire” — he does not seem to be living as a female in any other aspect of his life. Away from his political persona as a transgender woman, Laughton was married for many years to biological woman Lisa Laughton, his alleged co-conspirator in a 2008 fraud case. Laughton additionally conducted a long-term sexual relationship with Groves, also a biological woman.

The criminal justice system seems to agree with the gender Laughton maintains in his private life. The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists Laughton as a male who was last in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., as of this month. He was also kept with other men inside Valley Street Jail immediately after the June 2023 arrest.

The woman who used her job at a daycare to create thousands of child sex abuse images for former New Hampshire Rep. Stacie Marie Laughton (D-Nashua) has entered into a plea agreement just weeks before Laughton’s own trial is set to begin.

Lindsay Groves, 40, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distribution of child pornography in federal court in Boston on Tuesday. Each count of sexual exploitation of a child carries a possible 15- to 30-year prison sentence, and Groves could receive another 20 years for the distribution charge.

By entering into a plea agreement that requires her to testify against Laughton, Groves could get considerably less time in prison once the former state representative’s case is complete.

Groves is due for a sentencing hearing in February, when her fate will be determined.

Stacie Laughton

The stomach-churning details of the alleged crimes involve Groves and her partner, Laughton — a biological male who identifies as female — sending some 10,000 texts to each other between May 2022 and June 2023 in which the two discussed having sex with children. Groves also sent numerous explicit photos of children, many of whom were in her care at the Massachusetts daycare where she worked.

Some of the victims were as young as three years old, according to court records.

The pair has been in federal custody since their arrests in June 2023. The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists Laughton as male and last in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., as of this month.

The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for federal prisoners detained pretrial, and the agency may send prisoners to various state and federal facilities as necessary. It’s not clear where Laughton is currently held, though he is likely closer to Boston with the trial looming. Groves also remains in the custody of the U.S. marshals pending her sentencing. The Marshals Service, like many federal agencies, is limited in its ability to respond to media inquiries during the government funding shutdown.

Laughton is a history-making Democrat in New Hampshire, though ultimately not in a good way. He was elected to the House in 2012 as the state’s first transgender lawmaker but had to resign within weeks when his criminal past came to light. Laughton was still on probation for a felony conviction, barring him from holding office.

He stuck around, however, and was elected to the House again in 2020 once his legal issues appeared to be resolved. But Laughton’s appearance of good behavior was short-lived.

In 2022, Laughton was charged with harassing Groves and her family, costing him his seat in the legislature. He was arrested in November 2022 for stalking Groves, shortly after winning reelection to the House. Laughton was jailed for weeks but remained in office until the House Democratic Caucus finally forced his resignation.

It came out during the stalking case that Laughton had called police to report that Groves was abusing children at the daycare — allegations that were then believed to be part of the ongoing harassment. Laughton is alleged to have repeatedly tried to get Groves fired from her job, claiming she was a pedophile. He reportedly made those accusations to police, on social media, and on his radio program, according to court records.

According to records in the federal case, Laughton and Groves began sharing the explicit photos and texts after the resolution of the stalking case.

Born Barry Laughton, his use of a female identity has never been complete. Laughton was housed as a male at the Valley Street Jail immediately after the June 2023 arrest and has appeared to be treated as male by federal authorities.

He was married to Lisa Laughton for many years, his alleged co-conspirator in the 2008 fraud case that led to his removal from the House in 2012. Laughton has also maintained a long-term sexual relationship with Groves. Both Groves and Lisa Laughton are biological women.

The woman who allegedly sent thousands of child sex abuse photos to her lover, former Democratic State Rep. Stacie Marie Laughton, is set to change her plea in federal court.

Lindsay Groves, 40, is accused of exploiting children at the Tyngsborough, Mass., daycare where she worked for Laughton’s sick gratification. She is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Oct. 14 in the United States District Court in Boston.

Groves and Laughton, 41, are currently on track for separate November trials. Both Groves and Laughton are indicted on three counts each of sexual exploitation of children. Groves is also charged with one count of distribution of child pornography. 

Former state Rep. Stacie-Marie Laughton (D-Nashua)

Groves’ plea hearing comes after Judge Dennis Saylor ruled in August that the Hudson woman is competent to stand trial on the charges. Her defense lawyers tied up the case for more than a year, trying to prove Groves is not mentally competent to face justice.

Dr. Tina Adams, an independent clinical and forensic psychologist hired by the defense, found Groves is severely limited intellectually, easily manipulated, and unable to understand the charges against her. But Dr. Lauren Schumacher, a forensic psychologist employed by the Bureau of Prisons, reported that despite her limitations, Groves obtained an associate’s degree in early-childhood education from New Hampshire Community College, held down steady jobs, and was able to understand how the court system works. 

After Saylor reviewed the reports from Adams and Schumacher, he ruled that Groves could indeed go on trial.

“In short, (Groves) has repeatedly shown that despite her many limitations, she is capable of ordered thinking and rational communication, and that she has the ability to navigate reasonably complex situations,” Saylor wrote in his August order.

Groves apparently also understands the criminal justice system well enough to know when it’s time to roll on her former lover. If Groves enters into a plea agreement on Oct. 14, as seems likely, she would be required to testify against Laughton.

Laughton and Groves have a long-standing, volatile, and odd relationship. In 2022, Laughton was charged with harassing Groves and her family, costing Laughton a seat in the state legislature.

Laughton has been in and out of jail since at least 2008 after being convicted of credit card fraud. Four years later, Laughton was charged with a crime after calling in a bogus bomb threat at the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua. Those charges were later dropped as Laughton claimed to be suffering from a mental health crisis.

On Organization Day in 2022, Laughton was unable to participate due to being incarcerated at the time. Only after Democrats realized Laughton would not help them close the narrow GOP majority did the House Democratic Caucus finally force a resignation.

It came out in the stalking case that Laughton had called police to report Groves was abusing children at the daycare, though that was believed to have been part of the ongoing harassment at that time.

Laughton is alleged to have repeatedly tried to get Groves fired from her job at the daycare, claiming Groves was a pedophile. Laughton reported Groves to police, as well as making the accusation on social media and on Laughton’s radio program, according to court records.

However, according to the federal case, Laughton and Groves were simpatico after the stalking case was resolved without a jail sentence. Groves started sending the sick photos to Laughton, and the two had disturbing conversations via text about the images and their own sexual desires. 

Laughton and Grove discussed raping the children at the daycare facility. In one chilling exchange, they discussed how to get away with the horrific crime. Laughton maintained there was nothing wrong with sexually abusing children.

“Oh, I know, but I just don’t wanna get in trouble. I mean, I want to do what we want to do because we like it and we approve of it, but others think this is wrong. Lots of parents don’t like people touching their kids, and it is against the law …” Laughton wrote in one exchange.

In another message, Laughton appears to admit to raping a child with Groves.

“I was asking because I know we’ve had some back-and-forth, and I know we initially said we do nothing with kids ever again, and you said you were afraid that if we had kids if they would go back and tell the parents the same with the kids you work with,” Laughton texted to Groves.

Born Barry Laughton, the Democrat’s gender identity as a transgender woman has never been straightforward. It was unclear how far Laughton’s medical transition had progressed, if at all. Laughton appears to be balding with many masculine features, though the convicted felon wears makeup and clothing traditionally identified with women. 

Laughton was married for many years to Lisa Laughton, the alleged co-conspirator in the 2008 fraud case that resulted in the felony conviction that temporarily derailed Laughton’s political career. Laughton has also conducted a long-term sexual relationship with Groves. Both Groves and Lisa Laughton are biological women. 

Both Laughton and Groves have been held since their arrests in 2023. Initially, they were kept at the Valley Street jail in Manchester, but have since been transferred into pre-trial federal custody. Federal officials decline to disclose their current location.

Bad news for former state Democratic Rep. Stacie Marie Laughton and romantic partner Lindsay Groves, as a federal judge cleared the way for the pair to go on trial in their shocking child sex abuse images case.

In an order issued last week, Massachusetts District Court Judge Dennis Saylor rejected defense arguments that Groves, 40, is mentally incompetent to stand trial. With questions about Groves’ intelligence and her ability to understand the charges now out of the way, the trials are scheduled for November.

Both Laughton and Groves have been in federal custody since their arrests more than two years ago. Groves is alleged to have used her position as a daycare center employee to take nude photos of young children and text them to Laughton for their shared sexual gratification. 

Groves was deemed incompetent to stand trial last year by Dr. Tina Adams, an independent clinical and forensic psychologist hired by the defense. According to Adams, Groves is severely limited intellectually, easily manipulated, and unable to understand the charges against her to assist in her own defense.

But Dr. Lauren Schumacher, a forensic psychologist employed by the Bureau of Prisons, reports that despite her limitations, Groves obtained an associate’s degree in early-childhood education from New Hampshire Community College, held down steady jobs, and was able to understand how the court system works. 

Schumacher’s report additionally found that Adams scored Groves incorrectly in one of the key assessment exams, which led to her incompetent decision. 

Saylor reviewed the reports done by Adams and Schumacher earlier this year before ruling that Groves can indeed go on trial.

“In short, [Groves] has repeatedly shown that despite her many limitations, she is capable of ordered thinking and rational communication, and that she has the ability to navigate reasonably complex situations, including obtaining higher education and holding employment for extended periods. She understands the essential nature and potential consequences of the alleged crime, and can provide meaningful assistance to her defense. Accordingly … the Court concludes that, notwithstanding her limitations, she is competent to stand trial,” Saylor wrote.

Laughton, 41, of Nashua, became a star attraction in the state Democratic Party as New Hampshire’s first transgender person elected to the legislature. State party chair Ray Buckley even gave Laughton a shoutout as one of the “LGBTQIA+ Democrats who are the backbone of the Granite State,” despite the legislator’s criminal record at the time.

Born Barry Laughton, the historic 2012 election win was short-lived as past criminal convictions soon came to light. Laughton was forced out of office weeks after the 2012 election when it was revealed he was still on probation for a felony theft charge. Laughton was subsequently charged with stalking and making bomb threats.

Laughton’s gender identity as a transgender woman has never been straightforward. It was not clear how far Laughton’s medical transition had progressed. Laughton appears to be balding with many masculine features, though the convicted felon wears makeup and clothing traditionally identified with women. 

Laughton was married for many years to Lisa Laughton, the alleged co-conspirator in the 2008 fraud case that resulted in the felony conviction that temporarily derailed Laughton’s political career. Laughton also conducted a long-term sexual relationship with Groves. Both Groves and Lisa Laughton are biological women. 

Laughton and Groves have a long-standing and volatile relationship. In 2022, Laughton was charged with harassing Groves and her family, costing Laughton a seat in the legislature. Laughton was arrested in November 2022 for stalking Groves, shortly after winning reelection to the House. Laughton was jailed for weeks until the House Democratic Caucus forced a resignation.

It came out in the stalking case that Laughton had called the police to report that Groves was abusing children at the daycare, though that was believed to have been part of the ongoing harassment.

Laughton is alleged to have repeatedly tried to get Groves fired from her job at the daycare, claiming Groves was a pedophile. Laughton reported Groves to police, as well as making the accusation on social media and on Laughton’s radio program, according to court records.

However, according to the federal case, Laughton and Groves were simpatico after the stalking case was resolved without a jail sentence. Groves started sending the photos to Laughton, and the two had disgusting conversations via text about the images and their own sexual desires. 

Laughton and Grove discussed raping the children at the daycare facility. In one chilling exchange, they discussed how to get away with the horrific crime. Laughton maintained there was nothing wrong with sexually abusing children.

GROVES: “You mentioned how I said I was afraid that the kids will run to the parents if we do it with them I wasn’t being serious.”

LAUGHTON: “OK because like I get concerned about that, cause I don’t wanna get caught if we do.”

GROVES: “I was joking anyway, and you took me serious.”

LAUGHTON: “Oh, I know, but I just don’t wanna get in trouble. I mean, I want to do what we want to do because we like it and we approve of it, but others think this is wrong. Lots of parents don’t like people touching their kids, and it is against the law …”

In another exchange, Laughton seems to admit to raping a child with Groves

“I was asking because I know we’ve had some back-and-forth, and I know we initially said we do nothing with kids ever again, and you said you were afraid that if we had kids if they would go back and tell the parents the same with the kids you work with,” Laughton texted to Groves.

Laughton and Groves were being held pre-trial at the Valley Street Jail in Manchester on state charges soon after their original arrests. But the pair have since been moved into federal custody. Representatives with the United States Attorney’s Office in Boston declined to confirm their present location.

The daycare employee accused of sending thousands of child sex abuse images to her romantic partner, former state Rep. Stacie Marie Laughton (D-Nashua), is getting a mental health evaluation.

Lindsay Groves, 39, of Hudson, was arrested in June 2023 and charged with federal crimes for allegedly taking sexually explicit photos of the children under her supervision in the Tyngsborough daycare where she worked. Groves allegedly sent those images to Laughton as part of their disturbing sex life. 

According to court records, U.S. District Court Judge Donald Cabell last week ordered Groves to be removed from her current jail cell by U.S. Marshalls and brought to a facility where she will undergo a mental health evaluation to determine if she is able to even stand trial.

“I find there is reasonable cause to believe that [Groves] may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering her mentally incompetent within the meaning of [the law],” Cabell wrote.

Groves has been arguing for months she is not mentally competent to stand trial, according to court records, though many of those records are sealed. Cabell’s Aug. 9 order does not give details as to why he finds it reasonable she might be mentally ill.

Both Groves and Laughton are being held without bail pending a trial in the United States District Court in Boston. The last known location the two were being held pretrial was the Valley Street Jail in Manchester. Representatives with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston declined to confirm their present location. At this point, Laughton has not tried to raise the issue of competency.

Prosecutors are under court order to get Groves to an appropriate faculty so the evaluation can be done within the next month by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Then, whoever examines Groves must present a report to Cabell detailing her mental health history, any current diagnosis, and an expert opinion on if Groves is competent to stand trial.

The pair were arrested separately last summer after Laughton started showing other people the images Groves was sending, according to court records. Soon after, Nashua Police began investigating the couple.

Laughton and Groves have a long-standing, volatile relationship. In 2022, Laughton was charged with harassing Groves and her family, which cost Laughton a seat in the state legislature. Laughton was arrested in November of that year for stalking Groves shortly after winning reelection to the House. Laughton was jailed for weeks until the House Democratic Caucus finally forced a resignation.

During the investigation of the stalking case, it was revealed that Laughton had called the police to report Groves was abusing children at the daycare. The accusation was dismissed as part of the ongoing harassment at that time.

According to the federal case documents, Laughton and Groves were reconciled after the stalking case was resolved without a jail sentence. Groves started sending the disturbing photos to Laughton, and the two had explicit conversations via text about the images and their own sexual desires. 

Laughton and Grove discussed raping the children at the daycare facility. In one chilling exchange, they strategized about how to get away with the horrific crime. Laughton maintained there was nothing wrong with sexually abusing children:

GROVES: “You mentioned how I said I was afraid that the kids will run to the parents if we do it with them I wasn’t being serious.”

LAUGHTON: “OK because like I get concerned about that cause I don’t wanna get caught if we do.”

GROVES: “I was joking anyway and you took me serious.”

LAUGHTON: “Oh I know but I just don’t wanna get in trouble. I mean I want to do what we want to do because we like it and we approve of it but others think this is wrong. Lots of parents don’t like people touching their kids and it is against the law …”

In another exchange, Laughton appears to admit having raped a child with Groves

“I was asking because I know we’ve had some back-and-forth, and I know we initially said we do nothing with kids ever again, and you said you were afraid that if we had kids if they would go back and tell the parents the same with the kids you work with,” Laughton texted to Groves.

Laughton, born Barry Laughton, is a biological male who identifies as female. Laughton became New Hampshire’s first transgender elected official in 2012, and the first transgender elected official to be forced to resign.

Laughton was forced out weeks after the 2012 election after it was learned he was still on probation on a felony theft charge. Laughton has also been charged with stalking and making bomb threats. None of that prevented New Hampshire state Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley from praising Laughton as part of “the backbone of the Granite State” in 2022.

Laughton was married for many years to Lisa Laughton, the alleged co-conspirator in a 2008 fraud case that resulted in the felony conviction that temporarily derailed Laughton’s political career. Laughton has also conducted a long-term sexual relationship with Groves. Both Groves and Lisa Laughton are biological women. 

And, Hillsborough County officials confirm, Laughton is being housed with the jail’s male population.