A military doctor will spend over 13 years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing many victims, all of whom were service members seeking medical care from him.
On January 15, exactly one year after charges were filed against him, Major Michael Stockin, 39, was sentenced after pleading guilty to 36 counts of sexual abuse, according to the U.S. Army... Continue reading here ▶
Stockin had been in the Army since 2013 and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, in 2019, where he worked as an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at Madigan Army Medical Center.
He was suspended from patient care duties in 2022 after several allegations of sexual misconduct with patients.
Victims shared painful accounts of the abuse they endured, and the lasting impact it has had on their lives. One victim, known as John Doe 19, wrote that he now has panic attacks whenever he tries to put on his army uniform. He said, “I thought I was strong, that nothing could break me. This experience shattered my life as a husband, father, and senior non-commissioned officer.”
Another victim described being assaulted by Stockin while his wife was receiving treatment. Stockin allegedly ordered the victim to expose himself while his wife was drugged. Later, Stockin reportedly abused the same victim during surgery, which he wasn’t even assigned to. The victim’s lawyer, Christine Dunn, said Stockin exposed and viewed the victim’s genitals with no medical reason for it.
Dunn added that these victims now struggle with anxiety and shame, with many of them too afraid to seek medical care.
Last January, Stockin faced 52 charges involving 41 patients between 2019 and 2022. He also pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent viewing.
Had he not pleaded guilty, Stockin could have faced up to 300 years in prison. Instead, he was sentenced to 164 months, or a little over 13 years, in prison.
Stockin’s lawyer, Robert Capovilla, said Stockin “took full responsibility” for his actions and hopes the victims and Stockin will eventually heal and move forward with their lives.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, you can text “STRENGTH” to 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor.
