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.

Major Michael StockingAn anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at the base's Madigan Army Medical Center pleaded guilty on Jan. 8 to 36 counts of abusive sexual contact, said Michelle McCaskill, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Special Office. and 5 counts of indecent viewing. Trial attorney.

"The court held Major Stocking accountable for every person who was a 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 leaves every victim with a sense of responsibility." The voices were heard at the public hearing, revealing the trauma Major Stocking caused."

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

After his guilty plea, 22 of the 41 victims testified about the incident the trauma and pain they suffered Because 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," said Chief Prosecutor Maj. Ryan Kitt. "They have endured the trauma of Major Stocking's actions for years, with the past 16 months of proceedings leading to the court martial. The process has not been easy. I thank them for their patience, strength and courage." "

In the first broadcast report on "CBS Morning Show" Last February, two men described alleged misconduct that took place under the guise of Stocking Health Services.

One of the men said he sought help from a doctor to treat arthritis in his shoulder and said he was initially "very confused" by Stocking's examination.

"It was just me and Dr. Stocking left in the room. He checked my shoulders first, then asked me to stand up, take off my pants and lift up my gown," he said. "Dr. Stocking, his face was level with my groin and he started touching my genitals."

Another said he was sexually abused by Stocking on three occasions and described a similar experience undergoing what he called an "alternative assessment." He said he struggled to understand why this visit was different from previous doctors he had encountered.

"Even with my wife, I couldn't bring myself to talk about what happened," he said. "It felt very uncomfortable."

Stocking's attorney, Robert Capovilla, said the doctor faces more than 300 years in prison, but his maximum sentence is only a dozen years.

"Major Stocking takes full responsibility for his actions and he 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. Life."

Representing 22 lawyers Stocking's former patients Federal Tort Claims Act complaints were filed on behalf of service members against the Army and Department of Defense, alleging that 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, representing the victims, said Stocking's sentence provided 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.”

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

"One after another during the sentencing hearings, victims described the emotional impact the 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 from 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.