An Army doctor, Maj. Michael Stockin, who has been accused by more than 40 patients of sexual misconduct, has reportedly reached a plea deal with prosecutors, according to his attorney. Stockin, an anesthesiologist at the pain management clinic at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, faced 47 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing following accusations from his victims.
The plea agreement is expected to be entered in January, as the trial was initially scheduled to begin at that time. The news of the agreement follows the removal of recent motions hearings from the case’s calendar. Two men who came forward with allegations against Stockin described their experiences of alleged misconduct that occurred during medical examinations.
One of the men sought treatment for arthritis in his shoulders and was subjected to inappropriate touching by Stockin during the examination. The other man reported being sexually abused by Stockin on multiple occasions and expressed confusion and discomfort over the doctor’s actions. Both men have shared their allegations with military investigators and are prepared to be identified as victims in the criminal case against Stockin.
Despite the allegations, Stockin remains suspended from patient care but continues to perform administrative duties at Madigan Medical Center in a non-clinical role. The trial for this case was set for January 2025, and Stockin had previously pleaded not guilty in April. The Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel has confirmed that a plea agreement has been reached but did not provide further details.
Several alleged victims have also filed civil complaints against Stockin, claiming severe harm and negligence on the part of the Army and the Defense Department for failing to protect them from abuse. While the specifics of the plea agreement have not been disclosed, there is no mandatory minimum penalty for the charges brought against Stockin.
If convicted on all counts, Stockin could have faced a prison sentence exceeding 300 years, especially if the sentences were to be served consecutively. The case has garnered significant attention due to the high number of victims and the severity of the allegations against Stockin. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and updates are expected to be provided on the first day of the trial.
Clare Hymes, an associate producer for the investigative unit at CBS News, has been following the developments in this case closely. She previously reported from the Justice Department and has been monitoring the legal proceedings involving Maj. Michael Stockin and the allegations of sexual misconduct brought against him by numerous patients.
