**WNBA Star Caitlin Clark Targeted in Stalking Incident Amid Growing Concerns for Athlete Safety**

**The case brings to light the ongoing issue of harassment faced by female athletes and highlights the importance of reporting such incidents.**

A man from Texas has been charged with stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark after allegedly sending her a series of threatening and sexually explicit messages via social media. Michael Lewis, 55, was arrested on Sunday at a hotel in Indianapolis, where Clark plays for the Indiana Fever. Court documents reveal that the messages, sent through X between December 16 and January 2, included assertions of him driving by her house multiple times and plans to attend her games.

Clark, who is anticipated to be a standout in the 2024 Women's National Basketball Association season, had reported the harassment to law enforcement prior to Lewis’s arrival in Indianapolis. She expressed fear for her safety, even modifying her appearance to avoid detection. According to prosecutors, the messages "caused Caitlin Clark to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, or threatened."

Lewis was tracked down by the FBI, which traced the IP addresses of the messages back to his hotel. Although he claimed the messages were merely "an imagination, fantasy type thing and it's a joke," the charges against him could lead to a maximum of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if he is convicted.

Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears acknowledged the courage it takes for women to come forward in stalking cases and emphasized that they should feel safe in their environments. "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," he stated in a press release.

This incident occurs only weeks after another case in Oregon where a man was charged with stalking and harassment against Paige Bueckers, a prominent college basketball star, further spotlighting the troubling trend of threats faced by women in sports.