55-year-old Michael Lewis faces up to six years in prison after allegedly stalking Caitlin Clark, raising concerns about athlete safety in the process.
Man Arrested for Stalking WNBA Player Caitlin Clark
Man Arrested for Stalking WNBA Player Caitlin Clark
Texas resident charged with sending disturbing messages to basketball star via social media.
A 55-year-old man from Texas, identified as Michael Lewis, has been charged with stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark following a series of alarming messages sent over social media. Lewis was arrested in Indianapolis at a hotel, which coincides with Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, being based in the same city.
According to law enforcement, the threats and sexually explicit content sent to Clark via the platform X raised serious safety concerns. He is scheduled for a court appearance on Tuesday, where he could face up to six years in prison and a fine that could reach $10,000 if convicted.
Court documents reveal that Lewis allegedly sent messages that disclosed details about his surveillance of Clark, and one message included, "@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 indicated his intent to attend games, stating, "I'm getting tickets. I'm sitting behind the bench."
Between December 16 and January 2, multiple messages were reportedly sent to Clark that prompted her to alert the police, expressing fear for her safety. The 22-year-old rookie athlete had even begun altering her public appearance due to the threatening nature of the messages.
FBI investigators tracked Lewis through IP addresses linked to the messages, ultimately leading to his arrest in downtown Indianapolis. Although Lewis claimed the messages were mere "imagination" and a "joke," prosecutors emphasized the serious impact of his actions on Clark's sense of security. Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears commended Clark for her bravery in coming forward, highlighting the importance of addressing such threats to ensure all women can live and work without fear of intimidation or violence.
This incident follows a recent case where another man was arrested for stalking women’s college basketball player Paige Bueckers, intensifying discussions about the challenges faced by athletes in maintaining their safety amid fame.
