A judge sentenced a Texas man who pleaded guilty to stalking Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark to 2.5 years in prison Monday.
Prosecutors said Michael Lewis, 55, sent more than 800 messages to Clark in December and January, some of which were threatening and sexually explicit. He drove from Texas to Indianapolis, posting messages on social media like, “Been driving around your house 3x a day..but don’t call the law just yet, the [public] is allowed to drive by gainbridge..aka Caitlin’s Fieldhouse.” He also bought tickets to a Butler women’s basketball game he learned Clark would attend. Police visited him in his hotel room on Jan. 8, where he admitted to having “an imaginary relationship” with the basketball player, but continued sending her messages. He was arrested on Jan. 12.
Lewis’s sentence of 2.5 years will actually be a bit shorter. The days he has already spent behind bars since his arrest will factor into that total, meaning he has just shy of two years left on his sentence. As part of his plea agreement, Lewis pleaded guilty to one felony count of stalking and one misdemeanor count of harassment.
Prosecutors had previously said Clark told police she feared for her safety and changed her public appearances and movement patterns because of the messages.
In court on Monday, Lewis said: “I’ve never threatened her, I’ve never thought about threatening her.” “He is going to talk himself out of a plea,” the judge said, although she did accept his plea with an order to stay off the internet and away from Clark and any Fever and Pacers games, events, or properties.
In December, a man in Oregon pleaded guilty to stalking WNBA player Paige Bueckers. He is serving a one-year suspended sentence and three years’ probation.
