In a significant case of stalking, 55-year-old Michael Lewis from Texas has been charged after allegedly bombarding WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark with a series of threatening and sexually explicit messages. His arrest took place on Sunday within a hotel in Indianapolis, the host city for Clark's team, the Indiana Fever.
Law enforcement authorities uncovered numerous messages dispatched from Lewis, which were notably sent through X (formerly Twitter), detailing actions that caused Clark to feel significantly unsafe. One such message read: "@CaitlinClark22 been driving around your house 3x a day..but don't call the law just yet, the publc is allowed to drive by gainbridge..aka Caitlin's Fieldhouse." Another disturbing post mentioned his plans to attend games and sit behind the team’s bench, where Clark plays.
The communications are reported to have begun in mid-December and continued until the start of January, leading Clark, the 2024 Women’s National Basketball Association Rookie of the Year, to take proactive measures regarding her safety. According to ESPN, Clark had informed the police about the threatening messages before Lewis's arrival in Indianapolis and even modified her public appearance due to escalating worries.
Prosecuting officials have emphasized how these messages led Clark to feel "terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened." Lewis’s location was pinpointed by the FBI through IP tracking linked to the messages, ultimately leading to his arrest. In a statement to the police, he dismissed the messages, claiming they constituted "an imagination, fantasy type thing" and that he meant no harm.
Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears addressed the seriousness of the situation in a press release, underscoring the bravery displayed by Clark in reporting her case. Mears noted that it takes immense courage for women to come forward, which is why many do not, adding, "the victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence." Notably, this incident comes shortly after another man from Oregon faced similar charges for stalking college basketball star Paige Bueckers.
