Caitlin Clark
Getty Images, Indianapolis PD

Update: A Texas man who was charged with stalking Caitlin Clark appeared at a bond hearing on Tuesday morning. Michael Lewis was charged with sending hundreds of violent and explicit messages to the Indiana Fever star on X (Twitter).

Lewis’s behavior in court was “erratic” and he appeared nervous. At one point the judge told him to “stop talking!”

Lewis’ attorney told the court he has a mental illness and was off his medications.

His bond was set at $50,000. If Lewis posts bond, he must wear an ankle monitor and remain in Indiana until his pre-trial hearing on March 31.

Before Lewis left the courtroom, the judge advised him to keep quiet in jail unless he’s talking to his lawyer.

Lewis, 55, drove from Texas to Indianapolis, Indiana to be close to Clark. He continued bombarding the 22-year-old WNBA star with sexually explicit messages on X.

Authorities say Lewis sent Clark over 800 messages on X, including one message saying he drove around her house 3 times. He added: “Don’t call the law yet.”

MEGA/WENN

An affidavit shows Lewis began contacting Clark on X on December 27. He mentioned having “fantasies” about the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout. “this fantasy caitlin relationship is changing me for the better. . And about an hour ago i felt strong caitlin feelings. .like sensual. .wow”,” he wrote in one message.

Clark blocked Lewis on X, and he was banned from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the Fever play home games.

But Lewis threatened to confront Clark when the Fever traveled to away games.

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Clark’s bodyguard (in grey jersey) shadows her everywhere she goes.

Federal investigators tracked Lewis’s IP address to a hotel in the 100 block of West Market Street. The hotel is about a mile from Gainbridge Fieldhouse where the Fever play. Another IP address was tracked to the Indianapolis downtown library.

“Lewis’s presence in Indianapolis was especially concerning given that he is a Texas resident,” detectives said in the affidavit.

Indianapolis police confronted Lewis at the hotel on Jan. 8. He acknowledged writing messages to Clark on X. When asked why, he said, “just the same reason everybody makes posts.” But he denied sending the threatening messages. He confessed to having “an imaginary relationship” with Clark. He also said he was just joking with her.

Police did not arrest Lewis during their first visit, but the messages continued after the police left, the affidavit states. He was arrested at his hotel on Jan. 12.

Clark told police she changed her public appearances because of the violent threats from Lewis.

Meanwhile, sports journalist Jemele Hill quietly deleted her post, saying Clark doesn’t get the same level of hate as Black players in the WNBA.

One fan wrote: “Like we’ve been saying, just because Caitlin Clark doesn’t complain about stuff on social media doesn’t mean she doesn’t deal with it.”

Another person wrote, “Watch how no WNBA player will now come out and talk abt what Caitlin Clark is going through.”