By CHRIS DANIELS, ANDREA NEJMAN, MATT LANDERS and TKJ
January 27, 2025
Source: News SAS4
Photo / Image Source: Unsplash,
It's one of the largest cases of sexual misconduct in military history: A trusted Army doctor has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for sexually abusing multiple patients at Joint Base Lewis McChord near Tacoma, Washington.
It's a closed chapter in a sprawling investigation Spotlight on America first told you about nearly a year ago, but the story is far from over.
Army doctor gets 13 years in prison, as victims of sprawling sexual abuse case speak out
This month, Dr. Michael Stockin pleaded guilty to a total of 41 specifications, most of them for abusive sexual contact. A military judge sentenced him to 164 months behind bars and a dismissal from the Army. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Among those who came forward to detail the doctor's abuse, a 15-year veteran who served throughout the U.S. and overseas, who went to Stockin to manage his back pain in 2022.
He wanted to remain anonymous, but shared his experience with Spotlight on America, saying he knew something was off during his first appointment.
Chris Daniels: When do you know during the course of this appointment that something is off?
Veteran: As soon as he asked me or directed me to drop my pants.
Chris Daniels: Because you're looking for relief from back pain?
Veteran: Correct.
He said he was angry to learn that multiple other people had allegedly been abused, but felt affirmation that he wasn't alone.
"It wasn't just me who got taken advantage of," he said. "It didn't happen just because I was weak. It happened because he set it up in intentionally ambiguous ways to take advantage of people who are trained to trust people in positions of authority."
He described the toll that the abuse took on his life, including declines in his work performance and family interactions.
He also said he's lost trust in doctors.
It's a shattered faith shared by dozens of servicemen.
Spotlight on America attended days of closed-door proceedings, with service member after service member laying out claims that they were inappropriately touched during appointments with Stockin.
Stockin has admitted to the crime and 35 other assaults of soldiers that were done “with the intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire” of the doctor under the guise of a medical purpose. It is believed to be the largest case of its kind in recent Army history.
Judge Col. Larry Babin on Jan. 10 formally accepted the terms of a plea deal. Stockin pleaded guilty to 41 counts, or what are called “specifications” under military law, including 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing. Military prosecutors dropped another 11 counts during the proceedings. Less than two weeks later, the judge handed down the sentence of 164 months.
Ryan Guilds represents seven clients who said they were assaulted by Stockin, but he believes other victims may be out there, and may have remained silent.
A recent survey estimated that 14,000 active duty men experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault in 2023. Nearly 90% of victims surveyed choosing not to report their experience.
Guilds is also concerned that victims haven't been offered critical resources. Last year, he sent a letter to members of Congress, raising concern that victims hadn't received essential support and representation.
"We're talking about people who have devoted their lives for our country and our army let them down," said Guilds. "We're talking about Green Berets. We're talking about Special Forces. We're talking about people who have devoted their lives for our country and our Army let them down."
Guilds said only one out of 41 victims had a victim advocate and half of the victims didn't have an attorney, despite having the right to one.
"Dr. Stockin took power from these soldiers, lied to them, undermined their belief in themselves, created shame," said Guilds. "This process is supposed to give those survivors some of that back. Having a lawyer to help them advocate for them and empower them is a critical part of the process."
It comes as new leadership is in place at the Department of Defense. Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has faced allegations of non-military sexual assault dating back to 2017. He later settled with his accuser and said the claims were false. He has pledged to appoint a senior level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention.
The American military is facing a reckoning with the issue of sexual assault, which has been pervasive among its ranks.
In an unprecedented case this winter, a former battalion commander was convicted of sexual harassment. The young woman who accused him, sat down with Spotlight on America after the trial, saying she believes there are many women who suffer in silence.
It was the first conviction for sexual harassment since a major overhaul added the offense to the military justice code in 2022.
That overhaul also included forming the "Office of Special Trial Counsel," which removes decisions about sexual assault allegations from the chain of command and into the hands of independent prosecutors, like those who handled the case against Michael Stockin.
One of those prosecutors released the following statement:
“The sentence imposed by the court holds Maj. Stockin accountable for every person he victimized through his crimes. The results of this proceeding shine a light on the trauma caused by Maj. Stockin by allowing the voices of every victim to be heard in a public hearing,” said Maj. Allyson Montgomery, prosecutor, Army OSTC. “The perseverance of the courageous men who came forward to be heard ensured Maj. Stockin was held accountable for his crimes.”
According to the DoD's latest statistics, the estimated prevalence of sexual assault within its ranks decreased in 2023, for the first time in a decade, with the military saying it's "cautiously optimistic" it's the result of recent reforms.
The criminal case against Stockin ends here, but there's a growing civil complaint seeking to hold the Army itself responsible, alleging it was negligent in hiring and supervising Stockin.
Christine Dunn, who represents more than two dozen alleged victims in the civil case, said Stockin's sentencing provides some sense of justice, however she added, "For our clients, real justice requires holding the Army accountable for its role in allowing this to happen."
Recent filings in the civil case allege the Army allowed Stockin to continue seeing patients even after receiving complaints in 2022.
A service member, in one complaint obtained by Spotlight on America, wrote, "In many ways, Dr. Stockin's actions have ruined my life."
For another serviceman, who has a 20-year military career as a senior enlisted soldier with multiple wartime deployments, there was solace in hearing from others who had been abused.
"I would say that the only positive that came out of this for me was hearing to other victims and knowing that tragically there is some type of shared hardship in all of us," he said.
After sentencing, Stockin's defense attorney told Spotlight on America "These allegations, which potentially had MAJ Stockin facing over 300 years in confinement, were limited to a maximum of 13 years. Major Stockin took full responsibility for his actions, and he made no excuses. The Defense hopes and prays that the victims and Major Stockin will finally be able to heal and to move forward with their lives."
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