US man charged with stalking WNBA and Indianapolis star Caitlin Clark Basketball News

Clark told police she feared for her safety and had changed her public appearance after receiving messages from X.

State police in Indianapolis have filed felony charges against a Texas man for stalking female NBA superstar Kaitlyn Clark.

Michael Thomas Lewis is accused of repeatedly and persistently harassing Clark, 22, beginning on Dec. 16, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office wrote in a court filing Saturday. Jail records show Lewis is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

According to the testimony of a Marion County Sheriff's Lieutenant, Lewis posted numerous messages on Clark's X account.

In one article, he said he drove by Gambridge Arena (one of the venues where the Fever plays home games) three times a day, while in another he said he had “one foot on a banana peel.” , the other foot is on the banana peel.” Stalking allegation.” Other messages against Clark were sexually explicit.

Prosecutors wrote in Marion County Superior Court that the posts “actually caused Caitlin Clark to feel scared, frightened, intimidated or threatened” and also made implicit or explicit threats “with the intent of causing Caitlin Clark to Producing reasonable fear of sexual assault,” court filing.

If convicted, Lewis could face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The FBI learned that Account X belonged to Lewis and that the messages were sent from IP addresses associated with an Indianapolis hotel and the downtown public library.

Indianapolis police spoke with Lewis on Jan. 8 in his hotel room. He told police he was vacationing in Indianapolis. When asked why he posted so many posts about Clark, Lewis responded: “It's the same reason everyone posts,” court documents show.

He told police he didn't mean any harm and that he fantasized about a relationship with Clark.

“This was an imagination, fantasy type of thing, just a joke and had nothing to do with threats,” he told police, according to court documents.

In asking the court for a higher-than-standard bail, the prosecutor's office said Lewis traveled to Indianapolis from his home in Texas “for the purpose of gaining access to the victim.”

The prosecutor's office is also seeking a temporary stay order as a specific condition if Lewis is released from jail before trial. Prosecutors asked for Lewis to be ordered to stay away from Gainbridge and Hinkle Fields, where the Fever play their home games.

In response to the threats, Clark told police she feared for her safety and changed her appearance in public.

“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many are reluctant to come forward,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said, according to the Indianapolis Star. out.”

“In doing so, the victims set an example for all women who should live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”

Clark, 22, was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft after a stellar career at Iowa State. She earned All-Star and All-WNBA honors and was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year for the 2024 season.