INDIANAPOLIS -- The Texas man accused of stalking WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark loudly declared he's "guilty as charged" on Tuesday before a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Michael Thomas Lewis, 55, let out multiple outbursts during his first appearance in court since he was arrested over the weekend and accused to making a series of vulgar, threatening online statements at the Indiana Fever superstar.
Moments after Marion County Superior Court Judge Angela Davis called Lewis' case, the defendant, without prompting, shouted out that he's "guilty as charged."
He later blurted out "Throw me the booky!" and "I'm free! I guess you got the wrong guy!" while also complaining that his name didn't include a "Jr." in court records.
Each time Lewis spoke out of turn, courtroom deputies approached the defendant -- wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and black sandals -- and told him to sit up straight and not to interrupt.
Judge Davis read through the charges that Lewis "terrorized, frightened, or threatened" Clark and caused a "reasonable fear of sexual battery." Lewis replied, "Can I say something?" before Davis replied emphatically, "Not yet."
When asked if he suffers from mental illness, he told the court, "I need my medicines." Asked again if he needs an attorney, Lewis replied that he needed his medications.
Lewis confirmed he cannot afford an attorney, and is not currently working. When asked if he resides in Texas, Lewis responded, "Sort of, I live in my vehicle."
He told the court he has $100 in savings and that his car, a 2016 Toyota Avalon, is worth "ballpark 10 grand."
Lewis signed court orders agreeing to stay away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home arena of the Indiana Fever, and to have no contact with Clark. He was also barred from entering historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, where Clark's boyfriend, Butler University assistant basketball coach Connor McCaffery, works.
"If you violate stay away or no contact orders, the court will revoke your bond," the judge told him.
Judge Davis entered a plea of not guilt on behalf of Lewis and ordered him held in lieu of a $50,000 bond. If he were able to come up with that money, Lewis would need to stay in Indiana and wear a GPS monitor, the judge said.
But Lewis said he has no intention of posting bail.
"I don't want bond, bail, whatever," he said. "I'm here. I'm staying."
The court appointed defense attorney Gavin Uitvlugt as Lewis' representative, but he declined comment following Tuesday's 15-minute hearing.
Lewis is charged with one count of stalking, accused of engaging in a "course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of Caitlin Clark that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized," according to a complaint field by Marion County prosecutors.
From Dec. 16 to Jan. 2, Lewis used X to send a series of vulgar, sexually graphic messages to Clark, college basketball's all-time leading scorer and the WNBA's rookie of the year, prosecutors said.
Police found Lewis through an IP address, linking him to the Hilton Garden hotel at 120 W. Market St. and the downtown branch of the Indianapolis Public Library, according to the court affidavit.