Doctor at Joint Base Lewis-McChord pleads guilty to sexually abusing dozens of patients

An Army doctor charged with sexually abusing dozens of patients at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord pleaded guilty Tuesday to more than 40 charges.

In August 2023, the Army charged Maj. Michael Stockin with dozens of counts of abusive sexual contact and indecent viewing under the military code of justice. He alleged abused more than 40 male patients. An attorney representing one of the victims speculated that there could be hundreds of victims.

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Tuesday was to be the start of Stockin's court-martial at JBLM, but he reached a plea deal with an attorney representing several victims, according to Stars and Stripes. Attorney Ryan Guilds said Stockin would serve 10 to 14 years — or three to four months for each of the victims — in military prison under the deal.

Stars and Stripes reported that Stockin pleaded guilty to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing of disrobed patients.

Stars and Stripes also noted that military law calls for Stockin to be dismissed from the Army, and he will no longer be entitled to military benefits. He will also have to register as a sex offender.

In what has been described as one of the largest military sexual assault cases, patients recounted how the anesthesiologist and pain management doctor abused them when they sought routine care.

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One soldier who spoke to CBS on the condition of anonymity in 2024 said he went to Stockin for shoulder pain.

"He first checked my shoulders, and then he asked me to stand up and to pull down my pants and lift up my gown," the soldier told CBS. "Dr. Stockin, he was face level with my groin, and he started touching my genitals."

Several months of that story aired, CBS reported Stockin's defense team attempted to obtain unaired footage from interviews with the soldier and another who came forward to speak to the outlet anonymously.

Several victims have also filed complaints against the Army, alleging the service failed to protect patients.