Texas man gets 2.5 years in prison for sending 800 threatening messages to Caitlin Clark

INDIANAPOLIS — Michael Lewis, the man who told the court he was “guilty as charged” of stalking Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, has officially pleaded guilty and will serve 2.5 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.

According to court documents filed on Monday, Lewis, 55, pleaded guilty to stalking, where the defendant threatens sexual battery, serious bodily injury or death, a Level 6 felony, as well as a misdemeanor harassment charge.

Lewis, a resident of Denton, Texas, messaged Clark hundreds of sexually violent messages on social media from Dec. 12, 2024-Jan. 11, 2025.

In the messages, Lewis stated he drove around Clark’s “house 3x a day,” referring to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Lewis also told Clark he bought tickets to a Butler basketball game.

According to previous reports, Lewis downplayed the social media messages he sent to Clark, stating they were “a joke” and a “fantasy-type thing.” Lewis also said he traveled to Indianapolis from Texas because he was on vacation.

In an interview, previous reports state that Clark told law enforcement that she was fearful after receiving the messages and learning Lewis was in Indianapolis.

During a hearing surrounding the charges. Lewis told Judge Angela Davis to “throw me the booky” in regards to his punishment in relation to the charges he said he was guilty of.

During Monday’s sentencing hearing, Davis accused Lewis of not taking responsibility for his actions, to which Lewis responded was a “masterclass of miscommunication.”

“I know almost nothing about Ms. Clark’s personal life,” Lewis said during the hearing. “She attends basketball games, she plays basketball (at) Gainbridge Fieldhouse and she has a (social media) account that she does not manage. That’s it.”

Davis emphasized during the hearing that Lewis’ behavior “constituted stalking.”

“I do not believe you are here because of a click of a button,” Davis said during the hearing. “I do believe you need to move on long before you sent 800 messages to Catlin Clark.”

According to the sentencing, Lewis is required to stay away from the following locations:

• Gainbridge Fieldhouse
• Hinkle Fieldhouse
• Indiana Fever events
• Pacers Organization events

The court is recommending no internet access during his time in custody. The documents also state that Lewis is recommended to return to Texas after he is released.

“This resolution ensures that the defendant is held accountable for his threatening actions, the fear he instilled, and the disruption he caused,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a news release announcing the sentence. “He will now spend the next two and a half years in the Department of Correction, and the victim will be able to have peace of mind while focusing on what matters to her.”