A 55-year-old Texas man has been arrested on felony stalking charges after allegedly sending threatening and sexually violent messages to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Michael Lewis, of Denton, Texas, was taken into custody on Sunday at a hotel in downtown Indianapolis, according to court documents.
Threatening Messages and Stalking Behavior
Lewis allegedly sent repeated messages to Clark via X (formerly Twitter) between December 16 and January 2. The messages included references to driving by her home, attending her games, and explicit threats.
“Been driving around your house 3x a day,” Lewis wrote in one message.
Another read: “I’m getting tickets. I’m sitting behind the bench.”
Some messages were deemed sexually violent by prosecutors.
Clark, the 22-year-old WNBA Rookie of the Year, told police she feared for her safety and altered her public appearance. She stated she never responded to Lewis’ messages or posts.
Prosecutors wrote in the court filing that the messages caused Clark to feel “terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened” and included implicit or explicit threats with the intent to place her in reasonable fear of sexual battery.
Police Intervention and Arrest
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers initially contacted Lewis on Wednesday after tracking his IP address to a hotel and the Indianapolis Public Library. During the welfare check, Lewis admitted to being in an “imaginary relationship” with Clark and dismissed his posts as jokes.
Despite police warnings, Lewis continued to send messages to Clark. He was arrested on Sunday, charged with a Level 5 felony, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Prosecutors Act Swiftly
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears commended Clark for coming forward, highlighting the courage it takes for victims to report such cases.
“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t,” Mears said. “In doing so, the victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”
The prosecutor’s office also moved to ban Lewis from attending events at Hinkle Fieldhouse and Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Indiana Fever play.
Broader Context
This case follows a similar incident in December, when a 40-year-old Oregon man received a one-year suspended sentence and three years of probation after pleading guilty to stalking UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers.
As women athletes continue to gain prominence, incidents like these underscore the importance of protecting their safety and addressing harassment seriously.
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