In a dramatic court hearing, a Texas man accused of stalking and sending sexually explicit messages to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark pleaded not guilty, despite initially claiming guilt. Michael Lewis appeared before Judge Angela Davis in Marion County Superior Court on Wednesday. According to ESPN, Lewis's behavior was disruptive, leaning back in his chair and declaring himself "guilty as charged." Judge Davis, however, advised Lewis to exercise his right to remain silent and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, a standard procedure for initial hearings.
The judge set bail at $50,000 and ordered Lewis to stay away from both Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Fever play, and Hinkle Fieldhouse, home court of the Butler Bulldogs. Clark's boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant coach for the Butler men's basketball team. The 55-year-old Lewis faces a Level 5 felony charge of stalking involving threats of sexual battery or death, as reported by FOX 59, citing court documents. This charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to six years.
Court documents reveal that Lewis allegedly sent Clark sexually violent messages via his X account (formerly Twitter), including one claiming he had circled her house multiple times and advising her against contacting law enforcement. He also reportedly mentioned plans to attend a Fever game and sit behind the team's bench. When questioned by authorities on January 8th, Lewis reportedly downplayed the volume of messages sent to Clark, describing his trip to Indianapolis as a vacation. He characterized the messages as a "fantasy" or a "joke," but Clark expressed fear for her safety due to the content of the messages. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears emphasized the courage it takes for women to come forward in such cases and highlighted the importance of Clark's actions in setting an example for other women facing similar threats.
This incident follows another high-profile stalking case involving a female basketball player. Just a month prior, an Oregon man pleaded guilty to stalking UConn star Paige Bueckers. The man, Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, was apprehended near Bradley International Airport in Connecticut with an engagement ring and lingerie, claiming his intention to marry Bueckers.
