A Texas man accused of stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark and sending threatening and sexually express messages by way of social media had his first court docket look in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
After strolling into the courtroom, 55-year-old Michael Lewis sat down, leaned again in his chair, and stated, “Guilty, as charged.” The choose reminded him he had a proper to stay silent, and the listening to was solely an arraignment listening to, during which the costs in opposition to him have been learn.
Throughout the listening to, Lewis was erratic and stated he had not been taking his treatment and was residing out of his automobile.
Decide Angela Davis entered a preliminary plea of not responsible on his behalf. She stated she wouldn’t enable him to plead responsible on the day of the preliminary listening to and advised he “remain silent” and solely communicate together with his legal professional.
The choose introduced the court docket would appoint a public defender to function Lewis’s legal professional and permitted a $50,000 surety bond. If he can publish bond, Lewis has been ordered to remain within the space till his case is resolved, put on an ankle monitor and haven’t any contact with Clark, both in particular person or by way of social media. He has additionally been ordered to keep away from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse.
A pretrial listening to is scheduled for March 31.
Lewis was arrested in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Marion County prosecutor’s workplace stated Lewis’ latest messages got here from an IP handle in Indianapolis and that he was staying at an area lodge.
Lewis instructed officers he was in Indianapolis on trip, and when requested concerning the threatening posts, he stated it wasn’t him and was simply an imaginary relationship.
Lewis is dealing with a Stage 5 felony in Indiana, which features a sentence from one to 6 years with a presumptive sentence of three years and a effective of as much as $10,000.
