A Texas man who was arrested for allegedly stalking and sending sexually violent messages to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark had a disrupted hearing Wednesday as he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Michael Lewis walked into Marion County Superior Court, leaned back in his chair and told Judge Angela Davis he was “guilty as charged,” according to ESPN.
Davis suggested that Lewis exercise her right to remain silent and enter a not guilty plea on her behalf because she would not agree to anything else at an initial hearing, according to the report.
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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 to be held on $50,000 bail and ordered to stay away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse – where the Fever and Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant on the Butler men’s basketball team.
Lewis, 55, was charged with stalking, threatening sexual violence or death, FOX 59 reported, citing court documents. The charge is considered a Level 5 felony. He faces up to six years in prison if convicted.
Lewis allegedly sent Clark sexually violent messages through his X account. One message said he drove around her house several times and encouraged her “not to call the law yet.” He also reportedly talked about going to a Fever game and sitting behind the bench.
Authorities spoke to Lewis about the messages on Jan. 8, according to the station. He reportedly told authorities he was vacationing in Indianapolis 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 April 17, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Lewis told authorities the messages were not threatening and called them a “fantasy type thing” and a “joke.”
Clark allegedly alerted authorities to the messages and said she became afraid of the words sent to her.
“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said, via FOX 59. “In doing so, the victim gives the “example to 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 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 on Sunday, September 15 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, was arrested in August and found with an engagement ring and lingerie while walking near Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. He said he planned to marry Bueckers.
