INDIANAPOLIS — A Texas man was arrested after allegedly sending numerous threats and sexually explicit messages to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark on social media, according to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
Michael Lewis, 55, of Denton, Texas, was charged with felony stalking and arrested on Sunday, Jan. 12 in Indianapolis.
According to court documents, Lewis was sending the threats and sexually explicit messages to Clark on X, formerly known as Twitter, so the FBI sent an emergency disclosure request to X, requesting Lewis’ account information.
Court documents say investigators confirmed the recent messages from Lewis came from a hotel located in the 100 block of West Market Street in downtown Indianapolis and another IP address from a business in downtown Indy.
According to court documents, IMPD officers went to Lewis’ hotel room on Wednesday, Jan. 8 on a welfare check.
After knocking on the door, police said Lewis willingly came out and talked to officers. Lewis confirmed he was from Texas and told officers he was in Indianapolis on vacation. When police asked why he was making so many posts about Clark, he allegedly said “just the same reason everybody makes posts.”
Court documents say when police asked about the posts that were threatening in nature, Lewis said “it wasn’t him” and claimed that it was just an “imaginary relationship.”
Police then told Lewis to stop making threatening posts about Clark, and Lewis said again that it’s an “imagination, fantasy type thing and it’s a joke, and it’s nothing to do with threatening.”
Despite this, the messages continued.
According to court documents, police interviewed Clark, who said she has been “very fearful” since learning about Lewis’ messages. She also told police that she has altered her public appearances and patterns of movement due to fear for her safety.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears released the following statement:
“No matter how prominent a figure you are, this case shows that online harassment can quickly escalate to actual threats of physical violence.
It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t. 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 Sheriff’s Office for the swift and serious action that led to this weekend’s arrest.”