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Army doctor who sexually abused JBLM soldiers sentenced to more than 13 years in prison

A military doctor who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting dozens of male soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord was sentenced Wednesday to a little more than 13 years in prison and ordered to forfeit all pay and allowances and be discharged from the U.S. Army.

Maj. Michael Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the base’s Madigan Army Medical Center, died at the base, U.S. spokesperson Michelle McCaskill said. Pleaded guilty on January 8 to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and 5 counts of indecent viewing.

“The court held Major Stocking accountable for every victim of his crimes,” Maj. Allison Montgomery, a prosecutor with the Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel, said in a statement. “The outcome of this lawsuit reveals that. “Honor the trauma Major Stocking caused by allowing each victim’s voice to be heard at a public hearing. “

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JBLM is the Army’s fifth-largest base, located approximately 47 miles (75 kilometers) south of Seattle. Madigan Medical Center is the Army’s second-largest medical facility.

After Stocking’s guilty plea, 22 of the 41 victims testified about the trauma and pain they suffered as a result of Stocking’s abuse. Many said they had suffered negative emotional, physical and psychological harm from the crimes Stocking committed against them.

“The victims in this case are to be commended for their resilience. They have endured the trauma of Major Stocking’s actions and the past 16 months of proceedings for many years,” said Chief Prosecutor Maj. Ryan Kitt. Entering the court-martial and Not easy. I thank them for their patience, strength and determination to seek justice.

Stocking’s attorney, Robert Capovilla, said the doctor faces more than 300 years in prison, but his sentence is capped at just over a decade.

“Major Stocking takes full responsibility for his actions and makes no excuses,” Capovilla said in an email. “The Department of Defense hopes and prays that the victim and Major Stocking will eventually recover and move on with their lives.”

Attorneys representing 22 of Stocking’s former patients filed Federal Tort Claims Act complaints against the Army and Department of Defense on behalf of service members, claiming the agencies were negligent in hiring, supervising and retaining Stocking. Each is seeking $5 million in damages for the emotional anguish they suffered.

Christine Dunn, who represented the victims, said Stocking’s sentence provides some sense of justice, “but true justice for our clients requires holding the Army accountable for its role in allowing this to happen.” Responsible for the role played in the process.

Dunn said in an email that the Army failed their clients and other victims, leaving them scarred for life.

“At sentencing hearings, victim after victim described the emotional impact sexual abuse had on their lives,” Dunn said. “These brave soldiers are now filled with anxiety and shame – many of them are afraid to even seek medical attention.”

McCaskill said the Army launched an investigation into Stocking in 2022 after receiving multiple complaints. He was suspended from patient care and given administrative duties. In August 2023, he was formally charged with 23 counts of abusive sexual contact. In January 2024, the Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel filed 52 charges and specifications stemming from allegations against 41 male patients he treated between 2019 and 2022.

McCaskill said Stocking will be transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he will serve his sentence. Based on his crime, he will be required to register as a sex offender and comply with federal and state sex offender registration requirements upon release from prison.

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