“The turning point in this case is when you see someone taking the affirmative step of someone going from Texas to Indianapolis,” said Ryan Mears.
DENTON, Texas — Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Lewis was convicted of criminal trespass in the case connected to his arrest by TCU Campus Police.
Indiana Fever WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark was targeted by a stalker from North Texas, according to police.
Authorities say Michael Lewis, a 55-year-old man from Denton, Texas, used social media to send sexually explicit messages and threats to Clark. Prosecutors revealed that Lewis recently left Texas and checked into a hotel in downtown Indianapolis, just a few blocks from where Clark plays basketball.
“I think the turning point in this case is when you see someone taking the affirmative step of someone going from Texas to Indianapolis,” said Ryan Mears, Marion County Prosecutor.
Court records state that Clark, out of fear, began altering her public appearances after receiving threatening messages from Lewis. On Jan. 11, she reported to officers that she became more concerned after learning Lewis had arrived in Indianapolis.
“Very disturbing,” Mears added.
Investigators shared some of the messages Lewis allegedly sent to Clark. One stated, “Been driving around your house 3x a day… but don’t call the law just yet.” Another message read, “We are coming to u live from downtown Indy, and we have a special guest named Michael on vacation from Texas.”
Deputies arrested Lewis at his hotel room after he reportedly told them his messages were part of an imaginary relationship. Despite his claims, court documents show the threatening and sexually explicit messages continued, leading to his arrest on stalking charges.
This is not Lewis’ first brush with the law. TCU Campus Police confirmed they arrested him last October for criminal trespass after he reportedly approached minors with a teddy bear near a campus area with children. When TCU Officers located Lewis near their campus, he reportedly told them he was looking for a sad little kid. Officers say several people had already called about the 55-year-old trying to access kids at the Kinder Frog Academy. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Lewis was convicted of criminal trespassing.
An organization operating out of a Fort Worth church stated they had previously helped Lewis during a period when he was homeless. Online records show Lewis’ latest address as a post office box.
In Clark’s case, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears emphasized the seriousness of such behavior.
“When individuals start to make threats and start to say things that are very explicit in nature, there’s a very fine line that you can cross,” said Ryan Mears, “And if you cross that line, there are criminal consequences to that type of behavior.”
Michael Lewis is scheduled to appear in court this week on a stalking charge.