A military physician has admitted to sexually assaulting numerous service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord while they sought medical treatment for pain management issues.
Maj. Michael Stockin, who served as an anesthesiologist and pain management expert at the Madigan Army Medical Center on the base, faced a total of 52 charges related to sexual misconduct involving 41 victims, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, Michelle McCaskill.
On Tuesday, Stockin entered guilty pleas to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing, with the acceptance of his pleas pending approval from the military judge. Stockin’s attorney, Robert Capovilla, has not responded to inquiries regarding the case.
The organization Protect Our Defenders characterized the situation as the largest sexual abuse incident in recent military history and called for an investigation by Congress.
Attorneys representing 22 of Stockin’s former patients have initiated Federal Tort Claims Act complaints against both the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense, alleging negligence in hiring and overseeing Stockin. Each individual is seeking $5 million in damages for the emotional turmoil they claim to have experienced due to the doctor’s actions.
One victim expressed in his complaint that the abuse left him with severe feelings of sadness, fear, and anxiety. Christine Dunn, an attorney representing the victims, stated, “The guilty plea from Dr. Stockin marks an essential beginning of justice for the numerous patients he has harmed. Yet, this is just the start; the Army must be held accountable for its role in allowing such widespread sexual abuse to occur.”
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the fifth-largest Army installation in the U.S., situated about 47 miles south of Seattle, housing more than 100,000 individuals, including active-duty personnel, their families, and civilian staff. The Madigan medical center is recognized as the Army’s second-largest medical facility.
Following the receipt of several complaints, the Army initiated an investigation into Stockin in 2022, resulting in his suspension from patient care duties and reassignment to administrative responsibilities. In August 2023, he was formally charged with 23 counts of abusive sexual contact, leading to the subsequent referral of 52 total charges related to incidents involving 41 male patients treated by Stockin between 2019 and 2022 in January 2024.
Stockin reached a plea deal with prosecutors in September 2024 and formally pleaded guilty on the first day of his court-martial.
For each abusive sexual contact count, there is a potential maximum penalty of up to seven years, while the indecent viewing charge carries a possible one-year sentence. If the judge imposes maximum consecutive sentences for all abusive contact charges, Stockin could face up to 336 years in prison.
Once the plea is acknowledged, the proceedings will advance to the sentencing phase. Numerous victims are anticipated to present impact statements during this segment, as indicated by Dunn.
One serviceman recounted his experience in his complaint, stating that during a 2021 appointment for a back injury, he was instructed by Stockin to remove his pants and underwear while alone in an exam room. He claimed Stockin proceeded to fondle him without wearing gloves, an experience echoed by three other patients who felt similarly uncomfortable and violated.
One victim candidly shared that the trauma he endured contributed to an increase in his alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism. Following a year of excessive drinking that led to blackouts, he ultimately sought help through an outpatient rehabilitation program to regain sobriety.
