A Texas man was arrested for allegedly stalking and sending sexually violent messages to the Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark Wednesday had a disruptive hearing in which he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Michael Lewis entered Marion County Superior Court, leaned back in his chair and told Judge Angela Davis that he was “guilty of the charge,” according to to ESPN.
Davis suggested to Lewis that he exercise his right to remain silent and enter a not guilty plea on his behalf since she would not accept anything else during an initial hearing, the report said.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark plays against the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis, September 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, file)
Lewis was ordered held on $50,000 bail and to stay away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse – where the Fever and Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Clark’s friend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant on the Butler men’s basketball team.
Lewis, 55, was charged with stalking with threats of sexual harm or death. FOX 59 reported, citing court documents. The charge is considered a Level 5 felony. If convicted, he could face up to six years in prison.
Lewis reportedly sent Clark sexually violent messages via his X account. One message said he had driven by her house several times and encouraged her “not to call the police yet.” He also allegedly said he went to a Fever game and was sitting behind the bench.
According to the station, authorities spoke with Lewis about the messages on January 8. He reportedly told authorities he was going to Indianapolis on vacation and downplayed the number of messages he sent to the WNBA sharpshooter.
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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever during her introductory press conference on April 17, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Lewis told authorities the messages were not threatening, calling it a “fantasy thing” and a “joke.”
Clark reportedly alerted authorities to the messages, saying she was frightened by the words sent to her.
“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, and that’s why many don’t,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said via FOX 59. “By doing so, the victim sets an example for all women . who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”
Lewis’ arrest came nearly a month after an Oregon man was arrested pleaded guilty to stalking UConn Huskies women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, 22, signs mini basketballs for fans watching a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, was arrested in August and was found with an engagement ring and lingerie while walking near Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. He said he planned to marry Bueckers.
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