Man beat his girlfriend to death, then framed his dog to be executed before officials could prove he was the real killer
Inset top: Kaleb Mickens (Tarrant County Sheriff's Office). Inset bottom: Sheila Cuevas (GoFundMe). Background: A photo appears to show Mickens, Cuevas, and his dog outside of a building (KDFW/YouTube).
A Texas man will spend decades in prison after admitting he drugged and brutally beat his girlfriend to death, then tried to blame the killing on his dog.
Kaleb Mickens, 34, received a 40-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree aggravated assault involving family violence, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. The charge is connected to the death of Sheila Cuevas.
In addition to the 40-year sentence, Mickens was also ordered to serve 20 years for a probation violation tied to a previous aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury case, and another 15 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Dallas County. Prosecutors said those earlier crimes involved different women he had been in relationships with.
Authorities described Mickens as a well-known figure within the multi-level marketing platform IM Academy. Using the name “Cash Cartier,” he promoted himself as a successful mentor and recruiter, encouraging young people to join his training group by promising they could earn large sums of money.
Prosecutors said Mickens used his image of wealth and influence to manipulate people around him through a mix of promises and intimidation, while concealing a violent private life. Photos shared by Fox affiliate KDFW showed him speaking at events and maintaining nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram. At the height of his success, authorities said he was earning as much as $20,000 per week.
By the fall of 2023, however, his income from the venture had reportedly begun to decline.
On Oct. 8, 2023, Mickens called 911 claiming that Cuevas had been attacked by his dog, a pet named Soldier, and that she was no longer breathing. The dog was taken by authorities and later euthanized.
Investigators eventually determined that the dog could not have been responsible for the injuries that led to Cuevas’ death.
According to Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Allenna Bangs, the victim was discovered at the foot of the bed in the couple’s apartment with severe injuries. She had extensive bruising across her body, a swollen face, a cauliflower ear, puncture wounds, and 15 broken ribs.
Although investigators quickly identified Mickens as the primary suspect, prosecutors said complications involving the medical examiner’s findings made it difficult to bring a murder charge and prove the exact cause of death.
Authorities also said they were never able to determine a clear motive for why he drugged and assaulted Cuevas.
During sentencing, several women spoke in court about their own experiences with Mickens. According to prosecutors, their statements described patterns of abuse, manipulation, torture, and sexual assault. Each woman spoke about surviving the violence that Cuevas did not.
Members of Cuevas’ family also addressed Mickens directly in the courtroom. Her brother told him he deserved the sentence he received.
A GoFundMe created in her memory described Cuevas as a kind and uplifting person whose smile brightened every room she entered. The tribute said her family believes she is now resting peacefully in heaven.
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