Caitlin Clark’s alleged stalker held on $50,000 bail at hearing

INDIANAPOLIS — Michael Lewis, who was arrested for allegedly stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark, appeared in court Tuesday and was immediately reprimanded by the judge for speaking out.

When he entered the Marion County Superior Court courtroom, Lewis sat in his chair and declared himself “guilty as charged,” and he interrupted the court proceedings several times. times.

“You have the right to remain silent and I expect you to exercise that right towards me,” Judge Angela Davis said. When Lewis, 55, continued, she told him again to “stop talking.”

Davis entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Lewis, stating she would not accept a guilty plea at an initial hearing. She assigned public defender Gavin Uitvlugt to Lewis’ case.

Lewis was held on $50,000 bail, and Davis ordered him to stay away from the Indianapolis basketball arenas Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse – where Clark and the Indiana Fever play their home games – and having no contact with the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Lewis faces up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Lewis is listed in court documents as a resident of Denton, Texas, but in court he said he lived in his vehicle, which he drove to Indianapolis. Lewis was arrested at an Indianapolis hotel after allegedly posting several explicit messages on social media and tagging Clark.

“I’m getting tickets. I’m sitting behind the bench,” one message read.

“They said I was sending threatening text messages… but the only thought on my mind was… CAITLIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNN,” another read.

Additional messages contained sexually violent material.

Prosecutors wrote in court documents that the messages “caused Caitlin Clark to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated or threatened” and that an implied or explicit threat was also made “with the intent of placing Caitlin Clark in a reasonable fear of sexual assault.”

“It takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Monday. “In doing so, the victim sets an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the risk of sexual violence.

“We commend Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for the quick and serious action that led to this weekend’s arrest.”

Lewis is due back in Marion County Superior Court on March 31 for a pretrial hearing.

In December, a 40-year-old Oregon man pleaded guilty to stalking UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers and received a one-year suspended prison sentence and three years of probation. .