A military doctor who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting dozens of male soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord was sentenced Wednesday to 13 years in prison, stripped of all pay and benefits and fired from the U.S. military.
Major Michael StockinMichelle McCaskill, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at Base Madigan Army Medical Center, pleaded guilty to 36 counts of degrading sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing since Jan. 8, said U.S. Army Special Services. a spokesperson said. Trial lawyer.
“The court’s decision holds Major Stockin accountable for all who were harmed by his crimes,” Maj. Allison Montgomery, a prosecutor with the Army’s Office of Special Trials, said in a statement. “The result of this process is to highlight the trauma suffered by Major Stockin by ensuring that the voices of all victims are heard at public hearings.”
JBLM is the Army’s fifth largest base and is located approximately 47 miles south of Seattle. Madigan Medical Center is the second largest medical facility in the Army.
After his plea, 22 of the 41 victims came forward to testify. The trauma and pain they experienced Because of Stockin’s abuse. Many people said they suffered negative emotional, physical and psychological harm as a result of the crimes Stockin committed against them.
“The victims in this case should be celebrated for their resilience,” said Chief Prosecutor Ryan Keeter. “They have been living with the trauma of Major Stockin’s actions for years, and the court martial process over the past 16 months has not been easy. We thank them for their patience, strength, and determination for justice.”
In the first broadcast report On ‘CBS Morning’ Last February, two men reported misconduct that occurred under the pretense of providing treatment to Stoken.
One of them had sought help from a doctor to manage arthritis in his shoulder and said he was initially “very confused” by Stoken’s test.
“Me and Dr. Stockin were left alone in the room. He first checked my shoulders and then told me to stand up, pull down my pants and lift my gown,” he said. “Dr. Stoken, he was at my groin and face level and started touching my genitals.”
Another person said he had been sexually abused by Stockin on three occasions and described similar experiences in what he called an “alternative assessment.” He said he tried to understand why this visit was different from previous times he had seen a doctor.
“I couldn’t even tell my wife what happened,” he said. “It was very uncomfortable.”
Stockin’s attorney, Robert Capovilla, said the doctor faces more than 300 years in prison, but his sentence will be just over 12 years.
“Major Stockin took full responsibility for his actions and made no excuses,” Capovilla said in an email. “The Department hopes and prays that the victims and Major Stockin can finally heal and move on with their lives.”
Lawyers representing 22 Stockin’s former patients They filed a complaint under the Federal Tort Claims Act against the Army and the Department of Defense on behalf of the soldiers, alleging that the agencies were negligent in hiring, supervising and retaining Stockin. Each is seeking $5 million in damages for the emotional distress they say they suffered.
Christine Dunn, who represents the victims, said Stockin’s sentence provides some sense of justice. But true justice for our customers requires the Army to be held accountable for its role in allowing this to happen.
Dunn said in an email that the Army failed his client and other victims, scarring them for life.
“During the sentencing hearing, the victims took turns explaining the emotional impact the sexual abuse had on their lives,” Dunn said. “These brave soldiers are now filled with anxiety and shame. Many of them are scared to even seek medical attention.”
McCaskill said the Army began investigating Stockin in 2022 after receiving several complaints. He stopped treating patients and took on administrative duties. He was formally charged in August 2023 with 23 counts of degrading sexual contact. In January 2024, the Army’s Office of Special Trials cited 52 allegations and details stemming from claims by 41 male patients he treated between 2019 and 2022.
Stockin will be transported to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he will serve his prison sentence, McCaskill said. Depending on his crime, he will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements upon his release from prison.
