Texas Man Accused of Stalking WNBA and Indiana Fever Player Caitlin Clark

Authorities in Indianapolis have charged a 55-year-old man from Texas with felony stalking of WNBA rookie of the year and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.

Michael Thomas Lewis allegedly began a pattern of harassment toward the 22-year-old Clark on December 16, as outlined by the Marion County prosecutor’s office in a court filing made on Saturday. According to jail records, Lewis is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

The charges stem from numerous messages posted on Clark’s X account, based on an affidavit from a lieutenant with the Marion County sheriff’s department.

In one message, Lewis claimed he drove by the Gainbridge Fieldhouse—one of the Fever’s home arenas—three times daily. Other messages aimed at Clark contained sexually explicit content.

Prosecutors noted in their court filing that the posts “actually caused Caitlin Clark to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened,” with the threats made “with the intent to place Caitlin Clark in reasonable fear of sexual battery.”

The FBI identified the X account belonging to Lewis and determined the messages were sent from IP addresses linked to an Indianapolis hotel and a downtown public library.

On January 8, Indianapolis police interviewed Lewis at his hotel room, where he claimed he was on vacation. When questioned about his numerous posts about Clark, Lewis responded: “Just the same reason everybody makes posts,” as per court documents.

He asserted that he meant no harm and expressed that he fantasized about being in a relationship with Clark.

“It’s an imagination, fantasy type thing and it’s a joke, and it’s nothing to do with threatening,” he told the police, according to the court documents.

In their request for a bond higher than the standard rate, the prosecutor’s office indicated that Lewis traveled from Texas to Indianapolis “with the intent to be in close proximity to the victim.”

They also sought a stay-away order as a condition if Lewis is released before the trial, asking that he be restricted from Gainbridge and Hinkle fieldhouses where the Fever host their home games.

The Associated Press was unable to ascertain if Lewis currently has legal representation to comment on his behalf.

Officials from the Fever have not responded to a request for comment made by the Associated Press.

Clark was named the 2024 Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. After leading Iowa to the national championship game last year, she became the top pick in the WNBA draft and subsequently won rookie of the year honors in the league.