The man convicted of stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark told FBI agents he had nothing more than “an imaginary relationship” with her – just days before his arrest – according to newly released police bodycam footage.
The video, obtained by TMZ Sports, was recorded outside an Indianapolis hotel room on Jan. 8, where authorities confronted Michael Lewis after weeks of disturbing online activity. Prosecutors said Lewis had been sending Clark explicit messages and threats since mid-December.
What the footage shows is a man downplaying it all. Surrounded by FBI agents and Indianapolis police, Lewis insisted he was in town simply on vacation. He even allowed officers to search his room, pointing out he had no weapons or dangerous materials.
“It’s just an imaginary relationship,”Lewis said on camera. “It doesn’t involve any threats. Just a play fun thing.”
Warnings Ignored, Arrest Follows Days Later
Despite repeated warnings to stop posting about Clark, Lewis continued his behavior. Four days later, on Jan. 12, he was arrested and charged with felony stalking and misdemeanor harassment, according to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
In July, he pleaded guilty. The judge sentenced him to two and a half years in prison and ordered him to have no contact with Clark. Prosecutor Ryan Mears emphasized the outcome was about accountability: “The victim will be able to have peace of mind while focusing on what matters to her”.
The case has drawn national attention not only because of Clark’s rising stardom, but also because it highlights the dangers public figures face off the court. Clark has not commented on the case directly, instead channeling her energy into her rookie season with the Indiana Fever.
For the WNBA, the incident is a reminder that visibility comes with real risks. But for Clark, the resolution means a chance to put the ordeal behind her and get back to what she does best – leading the next wave of women’s basketball.
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