Military Doctor Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Soldiers, Sparking Review and Negligence Concerns

Military Doctor Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Soldiers

A military doctor at Joint Base Lewis-McChord has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing dozens of soldiers who sought his care for pain management. Major Michael Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the base's Madigan Army Medical Center, faced 52 charges involving claims of abusive sexual contact with 41 victims.

Stockin pleaded guilty to 36 specifications of abusive sexual contact and five of indecent viewing. His pleas are subject to the military judge's approval.

The group Protect Our Defenders called the Stockin case the largest sexual abuse scandal in recent history and called for a congressional review. Two men described alleged misconduct that occurred under the guise of medical care from Stockin. One man said he sought the doctor's help to manage arthritis in his shoulders and was "very confused" by Stockin's examination. He described being left alone with Stockin, who asked him to pull down his pants and lift up his gown. Stockin then touched his genitals.

Another man said he was sexually abused by Stockin on three occasions and described a similar experience of receiving what he called an "alternate assessment." He struggled to understand why this visit was unlike any he had previously encountered with a physician.

Lawyers representing 22 of Stockin's former patients have filed Federal Tort Claims Act complaints against the U.S. Army and Department of Defense on behalf of 22 servicemen, claiming the agencies were negligent in hiring, supervising, and retaining Stockin. Each is seeking $5 million in damages for the emotional distress they say they have suffered.

One serviceman said in his complaint that he was left with "overwhelming feelings of sadness, fear, and anxiety" after allegedly being abused by Stockin.

The Army launched an investigation into Stockin in 2022 after receiving multiple complaints. He was suspended from patient care and given administrative duties. He was formally charged in August 2023 with 23 counts of abusive sexual contact. In January 2024, the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel referred 52 charges and specifications, stemming from allegations by 41 male patients he treated between 2019 and 2022.

Stockin entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors in September 2024. He entered his guilty plea on the first day of his court-martial.

An abusive sexual content charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years, and the indecent viewing charge has a maximum of one year. If the judge ran the sexual abuse charges consecutively, he would face a maximum of 336 years in prison.

Once his plea is accepted, the case will move to the sentencing phase where numerous victims plan to make impact statements.