A Texas man has been charged with stalking WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark after allegedly bombarding her with threatening and sexually explicit messages on social media. Michael Lewis, 55, was arrested on Sunday at a hotel in Indianapolis, where Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, is based. According to law enforcement, Lewis sent multiple messages on X, asserting his obsessive behavior and making Clark feel unsafe.
Court documents cite alarming messages sent from December to January, including one where Lewis claimed to be driving by her home multiple times a day and another indicating he would be attending her games. Clark, a standout player and the 2024 Women’s National Basketball Association rookie of the year, reported these incidents to the authorities out of concern for her safety.
ESPN reports that Clark was already taking precautions, such as altering her appearance in public, before Lewis's arrival in Indianapolis. Legal representatives highlighted the psychological impact of the messages, stating Clark felt terrorized and threatened by Lewis's behavior.
The FBI tracked Lewis down through the IP addresses linked to his social media posts, leading to his arrest by Marion County authorities. During questioning, Lewis dismissed his messages as mere “fantasy” and insisted they weren’t intended as threats. Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears praised Clark for coming forward, underscoring the importance of such actions in setting an example for other women facing potential violence.
This incident adds to a troubling trend, occurring shortly after a separate incident where a man from Oregon was charged with stalking college basketball star Paige Bueckers.
