A 55-year-old man from Texas, Michael Lewis, has been charged with stalking WNBA player Caitlin Clark after sending threatening and sexually explicit messages on social media. Clark reported the messages to authorities, leading to Lewis's arrest in Indianapolis. He's scheduled for court on Tuesday, facing potential prison time if convicted.
Texas Man Arrested for Stalking WNBA Star Caitlin Clark
Texas Man Arrested for Stalking WNBA Star Caitlin Clark
Michael Lewis faces charges after sending explicit threats to the young athlete over social media.
A Texas man has been charged with stalking WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark after allegedly sending her multiple threatening and sexually explicit messages through social media. The accused, 55-year-old Michael Lewis, was apprehended on Sunday at an Indianapolis hotel, where Clark's team, the Indiana Fever, is based.
Law enforcement officials revealed that Lewis sent disturbing messages to Clark via X between December 16 and January 2, with some messages explicitly mentioning his surveillance of her. One such message stated: "@CaitlinClark22 been driving around your house 3x a day...but don't call the law just yet, the public is allowed to drive by Gainbridge...aka Caitlin's Fieldhouse." Another message claimed he had secured tickets to sit behind the Fever's bench.
In documents filed with the court, prosecutors highlighted that the messages "caused Caitlin Clark to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened." These incidents prompted Clark, the anticipated 2024 Women’s National Basketball Association rookie of the year, to alert police and re-evaluate her safety measures, even changing her appearance in public settings.
Clark proactively reported the alarming messages prior to Lewis's arrival in Indianapolis, showcasing her concerns over personal safety. The FBI ultimately traced the messages back to Lewis by monitoring the IP addresses, leading to his arrest. Despite being apprehended, Lewis reportedly dismissed the messages as "an imagination, fantasy type thing and it's a joke, and it's nothing to do with threatening," according to court documents.
During a recent statement, Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears commended Clark's bravery in coming forward, stating, "It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don't." He emphasized that victims like Clark set important examples for others, reinforcing the need for women to feel safe in their environments.
Interestingly, this incident occurred shortly after another man from Oregon was arrested for stalking and harassing women’s college basketball star Paige Bueckers, highlighting a concerning trend regarding the safety of female athletes in the high-profile sports arena.
