FORT WORTH, TX – A Tarrant County courtroom heard the details of a deadly assault that prosecutors say was followed by an attempt to shift blame onto a family pet, ending with a 40-year prison sentence for Kaleb Mickens. The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated assault related to family violence in the death of his girlfriend, Sheila Cuevas, after authorities said he drugged and beat her before calling 911 to report a dog attack.
Mickens was also sentenced to 20 years “on a probation revocation” for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and 15 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Dallas County, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office said, noting the offenses “were perpetrated against different women with whom he had relationships.”
Claims of dog attack unravel under investigation
On Oct. 8, 2023, Mickens called emergency services claiming his dog, Soldier, had attacked Cuevas and that she had stopped breathing. “The dog was taken and euthanized,” authorities said. Investigators later determined the animal could not have caused the injuries that led to her death.
“She was found in their apartment at the foot of the bed, I would say head to toe beaten, bruised, swollen face, cauliflower ear, puncture wounds, she had 15 broken ribs,” said Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Allenna Bangs.
Despite identifying Mickens as the suspect, prosecutors said they were unable to pursue a murder charge due to “complications” involving the medical examiner and challenges in proving the exact cause of death.
Pattern of violence and courtroom testimony
Prosecutors described Mickens as a “prominent figure” in the multi-level marketing platform IM Academy, where he operated under the name “Cash Cartier.” According to the district attorney’s office, he “lured young people into joining his training team with the promise of making thousands of dollars” and used his “perceived wealth and status to manipulate men and women with threats and promises while hiding his very violent private persona.”
In court Monday, multiple women delivered victim impact statements. “In a full court room Monday, several women delivered impact statements that included details of torment, torture, manipulation, and sexual assault,” the DA’s office said. “Each shared their message of survival and personal devastation that Ms. Cuevas did not survive.”
Cuevas’ family also addressed Mickens directly during sentencing. “You deserve this,” her brother told him.
A GoFundMe created in Cuevas’ memory described her as “an amazing human being. Her smile and her kind heart, lit up every room she stepped in. We are certain she is resting blissfully in heaven.”
Kaleb Mickens sentencing, Sheila Cuevas death, Texas domestic violence case, Tarrant County assault conviction, IM Academy Cash Cartier
