An Army doctor pleaded guilty on Tuesday to abusing more than 40 soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, the fifth-largest in the nation, between 2019 and 2022.
Maj. Michael Stockin, 38, served as an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the Madigan Army Medical Center but was barred from seeing patients in 2022 after an investigation was opened after multiple allegations were made against the doctor.
The investigation revealed Stockin sexually abused 41 victims, per CBS News, marking one of the "largest military sexual assault scandals in recent history," according to Protect Our Defenders, a foundation working to end rape and sexual assault in the military.
Multiple victims outlined how Stockin sexually abused them on multiple occasions under the guise of providing examinations and care. In one instance, a victim saw Stockin for pain management but told CBS News he was "very confused" by the doctor's examination.
"Myself and Dr. Stockin were left alone in the room. 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 victim told CBS News. "Dr. Stockin, he was face level with my groin, and he started touching my genitals."
Stockin was charged with 52 counts of abusive sexual contact in January 2024.
On Tuesday, he pled guilty to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact and five of indecent viewing. Each abusive sexual content charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, and the indecent viewing charge has a maximum of one year, meaning Stockin faces a maximum of 336 years in prison, CBS News reported.
After his plea is accepted, Stockin will be sentenced after a number of victims provide impact statements.
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