A Texas man who was arrested for allegedly stalking and sending sexually violent messages to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark had a disruptive listening to on Wednesday as he pleaded not responsible to the fees.
Michael Lewis entered Marion County Superior Court docket, leaned again in his chair and instructed Decide Angela Davis he was “guilty as charged,” in accordance to ESPN.
Davis steered to Lewis that he exercised his proper to stay silent and entered a not responsible plea on his behalf as she wasn’t going to simply accept the rest in an preliminary listening to, in accordance with the report.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark performs towards the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Michael Conroy, File)
Lewis was ordered held on $50,000 bail and to keep away from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Hinkle Fieldhouse – the place the Fever and the Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant on Butler’s males’s basketball group.
Lewis, 55, was charged with stalking threatening sexual battery or dying, FOX 59 reported, citing courtroom paperwork. The cost is taken into account to be a Stage 5 felony. He might withstand six years in jail if convicted.
Lewis allegedly despatched Clark sexually violent messages via his X account. One message stated he had been driving round her home a number of instances and inspired her “not to call the law just yet.” He additionally allegedly spoke of going to a Fever sport and sitting behind the bench.
Authorities talked to Lewis concerning the messages on Jan. 8, in accordance with the station. He reportedly instructed authorities he was going to Indianapolis for trip and downplayed the variety of messages he despatched to the WNBA sharpshooter.
JEMELE HILL QUIETLY DELETES CAITLIN CLARK POST FOLLOWING STALKER ARREST
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever throughout her introductory press convention on April 17, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE through Getty Pictures)
Lewis instructed authorities the messages weren’t threatening and referred to as it a “fantasy-type thing” and a “joke.”
Clark reportedly alerted authorities to the messages and stated she had change into fearful over the phrases despatched to her.
“t takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears stated, through FOX 59. “In doing so, the victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence.”
The arrest of Lewis got here almost a month after an Oregon man pleaded responsible to stalking UConn Huskies girls’s basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) indicators mini basketballs for followers following in a WNBA basketball sport towards the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photograph/Michael Conroy)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, was arrested in August and was discovered with an engagement ring and lingerie whereas strolling close to Bradley Worldwide Airport in Connecticut. He stated he meant to marry Bueckers.
Observe Fox Information Digital’s sports activities protection on X and subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle e-newsletter.
