A military doctor at Joint Base Lewis-McChord has admitted to sexually abusing numerous soldiers who were seeking pain management care. Maj. Michael Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at Madigan Army Medical Center, faced 52 charges for abusive sexual contact with 41 victims. Stockin pleaded guilty to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five of indecent viewing.
Stockin’s attorney, Robert Capovilla, did not respond to requests for comment. The group Protect Our Defenders has labeled this case as one of the largest sexual abuse scandals and has called for a congressional review.
Lawyers for 22 former patients of Stockin have filed complaints against the U.S. Army and Department of Defense, alleging negligence in hiring and supervision. Each serviceman is seeking $5 million in damages for emotional distress. One victim described feelings of sadness, fear, and anxiety following the abuse.
The Army initiated an investigation into Stockin in 2022 after receiving complaints and suspended him from patient care. He was formally charged in 2023 and entered a plea agreement in 2024. Stockin faces a potential maximum sentence of 336 years in prison for the charges if imposed consecutively.
The sentencing phase will involve impact statements from various victims. One serviceman recounted his experience of being abused during a medical appointment with Stockin in 2021.
The men recounted instances where the physician had reportedly examined their genitals without donning gloves. Three additional individuals shared similar experiences, noting that they had never encountered such a procedure before and departed from the examination feeling unsettled and violated. “I firmly believe that this incident directly contributed to the escalation of my drinking habits as I struggled to come to terms with the trauma,” expressed one of the affected men. He detailed a year-long period characterized by excessive drinking until he regularly blacked out. Eventually, he sought help and enrolled in an outpatient rehabilitation program to embark on his journey towards sobriety.
