Man blames dog after fatally beating girlfriend, say prosecutors

A man in Texas will spend a long time in prison after officials accused him of drugging and brutally beating his girlfriend to death, subsequently blaming his dog for the crime.

Kaleb Mickens, 34, received a 40-year sentence after admitting to first-degree aggravated assault connected to domestic violence, as stated by the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office. This case is linked to Sheila Cuevas's passing.

The defendant was also sentenced to 20 years "due to a probation revocation" for aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily harm and 15 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Dallas County, noted the DA's office, adding that these offenses "were committed against various women he was involved with romantically."

Mickens was described as a "notable figure" within the multi-level marketing platform known as IM Academy, according to officials.

He "attracted young individuals to join his training group by promising them large sums of money."

The defendant, who referred to himself as "Cash Cartier," exploited his "apparent wealth and status to manipulate both men and women with threats and pledges while keeping his very violent personal life hidden," the DA's office elaborated.

Photographs published by local Fox affiliate KDFW depict him speaking at gatherings and possessing almost 100,000 Instagram followers, and prosecutors claimed he was earning $20,000 weekly during the height of his career.

However, by fall 2023, his income from this endeavor was reportedly decreasing. This led up to October 8, 2023.

On that date, Mickens dialed 911, claiming Cuevas had been attacked by his dog, Soldier, and stating she was not breathing. "The dog was taken and euthanised," officials recalled.

Nonetheless, investigators later concluded that the dog could not have inflicted the injuries and death the woman suffered.

"She was discovered in their residence at the foot of the bed, thoroughly battered, bruised, with a swollen face, cauliflower ear, puncture wounds, and having 15 broken ribs," reported Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Allenna Bangs.

Investigators named Mickens as their suspect, though they admitted they could not charge him with murder due to "issues" with the medical examiner and "establishing the cause of death."

They reportedly never found an explanation for why he drugged and assaulted her.

"In a fully packed courtroom on Monday, several women gave impact statements detailing torment, abuse, manipulation, and sexual assault," stated the DA's office.

"Each woman shared their survival journeys and the destruction they endured, noting that Ms. Cuevas was not as fortunate."

Cuevas' relatives, including her brother, confronted Mickens directly, declaring, "You deserve this."

A GoFundMe for Cuevas—whose age remains unclear at her time of death—celebrates her as "an extraordinary person. Her smile and loving nature illuminated every space she entered. We have no doubt she is peacefully resting in heaven."