Military Doctor Admits Guilt to Multiple Sexual Abuse Charges

A military physician has admitted to sexually assaulting numerous soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord who primarily sought his assistance for pain relief.

Maj. Michael Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management expert at the base’s Madigan Army Medical Center, confronted 52 charges related to allegations of abusive sexual contact with 41 individuals, according to Michelle McCaskill, spokesperson for the U.S. Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.

On Tuesday, Stockin pleaded guilty to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing, as reported by McCaskill on Wednesday. His guilty pleas await the military judge’s endorsement, she explained.

Stockin’s attorney, Robert Capovilla, did not respond promptly to emails requesting comments on Wednesday.

The organization Protect Our Defenders labeled the Stockin case as the largest sexual abuse scandal in recent memory and has called for a congressional examination.

Attorneys representing 22 of Stockin’s previous patients have filed Federal Tort Claims Act complaints against the U.S. Army and Department of Defense on behalf of these servicemen, alleging negligence in the hiring, oversight, and retention of Stockin. Each claimant is pursuing $5 million in damages for the emotional suffering they assert they endured.

One serviceman mentioned in his complaint that he experienced “overpowering feelings of sadness, fear, and anxiety” following the alleged abuse by Stockin.

“Dr. Stockin’s guilty plea and upcoming sentencing is a crucial initial step toward justice for the numerous patients he sexually assaulted. However, the narrative does not conclude here,” stated Christine Dunn, an attorney representing the victims. “The Army significantly contributed to the pervasive sexual abuse that occurred from the outset. It is time for the Army to be held responsible for its negligence.”

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the U.S. Army’s fifth-largest base, situated approximately 47 miles south of Seattle. It boasts a population exceeding 100,000, which includes 40,000 active duty members, 50,000 family members, and 15,000 civilian and contract personnel. The installation also encompasses the Yakama Training Center, and the Madigan medical center is the Army’s second-largest healthcare facility.

The Army initiated an investigation into Stockin in 2022 after receiving multiple complaints, according to McCaskill. He was removed from patient care and assigned to administrative duties. In August 2023, he faced formal charges consisting of 23 counts of abusive sexual contact. By January 2024, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel had referred 52 charges, based on allegations from 41 male patients he treated between 2019 and 2022.

Stockin entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors in September 2024, pleading guilty on Tuesday, the opening day of his court-martial, which follows the military’s judicial system.

A charge of abusive sexual contact carries a maximum sentence of seven years, while indecent viewing has a one-year maximum. If consecutive sentences were imposed for the sexual abuse charges, he could face up to 336 years in prison, McCaskill noted.

Once his plea is accepted, the focus will shift to the sentencing phase, where several victims are preparing to present impact statements, according to Dunn.