Man Faces Court After Allegedly Stalking WNBA Star Caitlin Clark

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Michael Lewis, 55, appeared in Marion County Superior Court on Tuesday after being arrested for allegedly stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The hearing took a dramatic turn as Lewis repeatedly interrupted proceedings, prompting Judge Angela Davis to rebuke him and enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Lewis, who claims to live in his vehicle, was arrested at an Indianapolis hotel following a series of explicit and threatening social media posts directed at Clark. Prosecutors allege the posts caused Clark to feel “terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened.” Lewis faces up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

During the hearing, Lewis declared, “guilty as charged,” but Judge Davis refused to accept the plea, stating, “You have a right to remain silent, and I expect you to exercise that on me.” She assigned public defender Gavin Uitvlugt to represent Lewis and set bail at $50,000. Lewis was also ordered to stay away from Indianapolis basketball arenas, including Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse, where Clark plays her home games.

Court documents reveal that Lewis posted messages such as, “I’m getting tickets. I’m sitting behind the bench,” and “They said I was sending threatening texts…but the only thought on my mind was…CAITLIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNN.” Additional posts contained sexually violent material, which prosecutors say constituted an implicit or explicit threat of sexual battery.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears praised Clark for coming forward, stating, “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.”

Lewis is scheduled to return to court on March 31 for a pretrial hearing. This case follows a similar incident in December, where a 40-year-old man from Oregon was sentenced to probation for stalking UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers.