A Texas man in Indianapolis on charges of stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark, authorities said Monday.
Michael Thomas Lewis, a 55-year-old resident of Denton, faces one count of stalking for allegedly engaging in “course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of Caitlin Clark that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized,” Marion County prosecutors said in a complaint.
From Dec. 16 to Jan. 2, Lewis, who was arrested Sunday in Indianapolis, used X to send a series of vulgar, sexually charged messages to the , prosecutors said.
Police interviewed Clark on Saturday and the Indiana Fever superstar revealed that she “has been very fearful since learning of the messages and that she has altered her public appearances and patterns of movement due to fear for her safety,” according to the affidavit supporting Lewis’ arrest.
“Clark stated that she has become very concerned for her safety after learning that Lewis was in Indianapolis,” the complaint said. “Clark also stated that she doesn’t know Lewis and has never responded to any of his messages or posts.”
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said his office takes online threats seriously because they easily can turn into real-life acts.
“No matter how prominent a figure you are, this case shows that online harassment can quickly escalate to actual threats of physical violence,” Mears said in a statement.
“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.”
