Man Pleads Guilty To Stalking And Harassing Wnba Star Caitlin Clark

A Texas man was sentenced to much than 2 years successful situation Monday aft he pleaded blameworthy to stalking and harassing WNBA prima Caitlin Clark, officials said.

Michael Lewis, 55, was sentenced to 2.5 years for nan stalking complaint and was fixed a 180-day suspended condemnation for harassment, a spokesperson for Indiana's Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Lewis, who has been incarcerated astatine an Indianapolis jailhouse since his apprehension successful January, will person a time-served in installments of 197 days applied toward his situation term, tribunal records show.

Lewis was accused of sending a bid of vulgar, sexually schematic messages to Clark connected X, nan societal media platform, betwixt December and January, prosecutors person said.

“This solution ensures that nan suspect is held accountable for his threatening actions, nan fearfulness he instilled, and nan disruption he caused,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said successful a connection Monday.

“He will now walk nan adjacent 2 and a half years successful nan Department of Corrections, and nan unfortunate will beryllium capable to person bid of mind while focusing connected what matters to her,” Mears said.

A stay-away bid was besides issued for Indiana Fever events and Hinkle Fieldhouse, wherever Clark’s boyfriend, an adjunct hoops coach for Butler University, works, nan records show.

In a presentencing connection Monday, Lewis denied threatening Clark and said he had been trying to item information concerns for Clark, NBC connection WTHR reported.

“I want her to beryllium safe,” he said, according to WTHR.

At 1 point, nan judge presiding complete nan lawsuit interrupted Lewis’ connection and warned he was “going to talk himself retired of a plea,” nan position reported.

“You person to understand that arsenic portion of a plea deal, you are admitting responsibility,” nan judge said, according to nan station.

Clark, who was selected first wide by nan Indiana Fever successful past year’s WNBA draft, is assemblage basketball’s all-time starring scorer.