A military doctor, who admitted to sexually abusing male soldiers on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was sentenced to prison Wednesday. He was also ordered to forfeit his pay and allowances.
Maj. Michael Stockin, a pain management specialist and anesthesiologist at the Madigan Army Medical Center on the base, pleaded to guilt on January 8 for 36 specifics, or counts of abusive sexual contacts and five of indecent views, according to Michelle McCaskill of the U.S. Army Office Special Trial Counsel.
In a press release, Maj. Allyson Montgomery, prosecutor at the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel said that “the sentence imposed by court holds Major Stockin accountable for each person he has victimized through his crime.” The results of the proceeding shed light on the trauma that Maj. Stockin caused, by allowing victims to speak out in public.
JBLM, the Army’s 5th largest base, is located about 47 miles south-southeast of Seattle. Madigan Medical Center is the Army’s largest medical treatment facility.
22 of 41 victims who testified after Stockin’s plea spoke about the distress and trauma they experienced due to Stockin’s abuse. Stockin’s crimes caused emotional, psychological, and physical harm to many victims.
The resilience of victims in this case is something to be celebrated, said Maj. Ryan Keeter, the lead prosecutor. The victims have suffered the trauma caused by Maj. Stockin for many years, and the 16-month litigation that led to the court-martial was not easy. “I thank them for their courage, their perseverance, and their desire for justice.”
Two men described misconduct that took place under the pretext of Stockin’s medical care in a report first broadcast by CBS Mornings in February.
Stockin’s initial examination of one man was “very confusing” to him.
“Dr. Stockin and I were the only two in the room.” “He first checked my shoulders, then asked me to stand and pull down my pants,” he said. “Dr. Stockin was at my groin level and started touching my genitals.”
The other man said that Stockin had sexually abused him on three separate occasions. He described an experience similar to receiving “alternate assessments.” He struggled to comprehend why this was different from any other visit he’d had with a doctor.
He said that he couldn’t even bring himself to discuss what had happened with his wife. “It felt very uncomfortable.”
Stockin’s attorney, Robert Capovilla said that the doctor was facing more than 300-years of imprisonment, but that his sentence had been capped at just a little over 12 years.
Capovilla wrote in an email that “Major Stockin accepted full responsibility for his acts, and made no excuses.” The Defense hopes and prays for the victims, Major Stockin and their families to be able heal and move on with their lives.
Attorneys for 22 of Stockin’s former patients filed Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuits on behalf of these servicemen. They claim that the Army and Department of Defense were negligent when they hired, supervised and retained Stockin. Each seeks $5 million for emotional distress.
Christine Dunn, who represents the victims, stated that Stockin’s sentence provides some sense justice. “But for our clients, true justice requires holding Army accountable for their role in allowing these events to occur.”
Dunn wrote in an email that the Army has failed its clients and other victims.
Dunn stated that “victim after victim spoke of the emotional impact sexual abuse had on their lives” during the sentencing proceedings. “These brave soldiers now suffer from anxiety and shame, many of whom are afraid to seek medical treatment.”
McCaskill stated that the Army began an investigation in 2022 into Stockin after receiving multiple complaints. He was removed from the patient care team and given administrative duties. In August 2023, he was officially charged with 23 counts for abusive sexual contact. In January 2024 the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel forwarded 52 charges and specifications, stemming primarily from allegations made by 41 male patients that he had treated between 2019-2022.
McCaskill announced that Stockin would be sent to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas where he will serve his prison term. Stockin will have to register with the federal and state government as a sexual offender based on his crimes.
