Authorities in Texas have arrested and charged a 55-year-old man on a felony stalking charge in Indianapolis on Sunday after allegedly sending threats and sexually violent messages to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
According to police records obtained by ESPN, Michael Lewis, of Denton, Texas, was charged with a Level 5 felony after he was arrested at a hotel in Indianapolis.
He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning and could face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department first spoke to Lewis on Wednesday about a series of alleged, disturbing messages to Clark on social media.
“Been driving around your house 3x a day,” Lewis messaged to Clark, according to court documents. “But don’t call the law just yet.”
“I’m getting tickets. I’m sitting behind the bench,” read another message.
Other messages were sexually violent, according to court documents.
According to court documents, Clark told police that she feared for her safety — even before Lewis arrived in Indianapolis — and had even altered her appearance in public.
Mears said investigators tracked the IP address of Lewis’ recent messages and found that he was at a hotel in Indianapolis. Lewis told police that he was in “an imaginary relationship” with Clark and that he came to Indianapolis on vacation.
The messages continued after the initial visit by police.
“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t,” Mears said. “In doing so, the victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.
“We commend Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and the Marion County Sherriff’s Office for the swift and serious action that led to this weekend’s arrest.”
According to the Indianapolis Star, Prosecutors have moved to ban Lewis from Hinkle Fieldhouse and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Fever play at both arenas.
In December, a 40-year-old man from Oregon received a one-year suspended sentence and three years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to a second-degree charge following his arrest for stalking UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers.