In a landmark case, an Army doctor, Major Michael Stockin, faced over 50 counts of sexual misconduct in a military courtroom in Washington state. The charges against him include 47 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing under the military code of justice. The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel is prosecuting the case, which could potentially become one of the largest prosecutions of its kind by the Army.
All 41 alleged victims in this case are male, and the documents reveal shocking allegations that Stockin attempted to cover up sexual abuse by falsely claiming it had a “medical purpose.” This revelation adds another layer of betrayal to an already disturbing case.
During his first appearance in court, Stockin was expected to enter a plea of not guilty but chose to defer entering a plea. His attorney, Robert Capovilla, urged the public to withhold judgment until the case is heard and emphasized Stockin’s constitutional rights. Capovilla stated, “We intend to fight against every single allegation until the jury renders their verdict.” He also asked everyone to keep an open mind, reminding them that Stockin is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The prosecution expressed confidence in their case, with the Office of Special Trial Counsel stating, “We are confident that the facts and evidence support a conviction and that will be demonstrated when the case goes to trial on Oct. 7.” This statement comes after two former patients spoke out publicly for the first time, describing how Stockin’s conduct betrayed their trust. Both men, retired after more than 20 years in the Army and three combat tours each, allege that the abuse occurred under the guise of medical care.
The upcoming court martial is scheduled to begin in October and is expected to last over a month. Both victims have expressed their intention to testify at the trial. For them, it is an emotional experience that they are not accustomed to dealing with. One of them stated, “It’s personal. I can deal with a lot of things. I can deal with anger, I can deal with combat, but emotions and things like that—it’s personal.”
As the investigation continues, the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division will remain open to further explore any additional victims who come forward. In the meantime, Stockin has been suspended from seeing patients, but his medical license remains active. He continues to work in an administrative role at Madigan, according to Michelle McCaskill, communications director for Army OSTC.
Although prosecutors have not requested pretrial confinement, they stated that they will evaluate whether to do so based on the potential for Stockin to be a flight risk or commit further serious misconduct. If convicted on all counts, Stockin could face a prison sentence of over 330 years if served consecutively. However, there is no mandatory minimum penalty.
This landmark case sheds light on the widespread issue of sexual misconduct within the military and the urgent need for justice. The upcoming trial will be closely watched as it seeks to hold accountable those responsible for these heinous acts. The hope is that through this case, justice will be served, and the victims will find solace in knowing that their stories were heard and believed.
