Police have arrested a Texas man, 55-year-old Michael Lewis, after he allegedly sent multiple threatening and sexually explicit messages to WNBA star Caitlin Clark over social media. The arrest occurred on Sunday at a hotel in Indianapolis, where Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, is based.
Authorities say that Lewis sent the threatening messages to Clark through X (formerly Twitter), including content that was sexually explicit and threatening in nature.
One of the messages reportedly sent to Clark 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 read: "I'm getting tickets. I'm sitting behind the bench."
The messages, which were sent between December 16 and January 2, made Clark fear for her safety. According to court documents, Clark reported the harassment to police, who took immediate action.
Caitlin Clark's Response to the Threats
Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, alerted authorities about the disturbing messages before Lewis arrived in Indianapolis. To protect herself, Clark made efforts to alter her appearance when in public due to safety concerns. Prosecutors emphasized that the social media messages “caused Caitlin Clark to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened.”
FBI Tracks Down Suspect
The FBI tracked Lewis by investigating the IP addresses associated with the threatening messages, leading them to a hotel in downtown Indianapolis. Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears revealed that Lewis was arrested after law enforcement pinpointed his location.
Lewis's Defense and Legal Consequences
In an interview with the police, Lewis claimed the messages were “an imagination, fantasy type thing and it’s a joke, and it’s nothing to do with threatening.” However, the legal consequences for him are severe. Lewis is set to appear in court on Tuesday, and if convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and a fine of $10,000.
Statement from Prosecutor and Support for Victims
Prosecutor Ryan Mears spoke out about the importance of standing up against such crimes, particularly those targeting women. He stated, “It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t. In do
Prosecutor Ryan Mears spoke out about the importance of standing up against such crimes, particularly those targeting women. He stated, “It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t. 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.”
This incident comes on the heels of another stalking case involving women's college basketball star Paige Bueckers, who was also recently targeted by a man from Oregon.
The arrest of Michael Lewis highlights the ongoing issue of harassment and stalking faced by high-profile women, particularly in sports. As the legal process unfolds, Clark’s courage to speak out may inspire other victims to come forward in similar situations.