A Texas social media influencer known as Cash Cartier was sentenced to decades in prison after he fatally beat and drugged his girlfriend, according to authorities.
Kaleb Mickens’ girlfriend Sheila Cuevas had multiple broken ribs and “puncture wounds” when she died on October 8, 2023, KDFW-TV reported.
That day, Mickens — now 34 — called 911 and told a dispatcher that his dog, named “Soldier,” attacked Cuevas, who he said had stopped breathing, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.
Soldier was euthanized by animal control as a result — sadly, before animal control officers would learn the dog had had “nothing to do with Ms. Cuevas’ injuries and death,” the district attorney’s office said in a Tuesday, April 7, news release on Mickens’ sentencing.
Mickens, who lives in Fort Worth, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated assault in connection with Cuevas’ death, prosecutors announced.
He has been sentenced to 40 years in prison on the charge, according to the district attorney’s office.
Mickens was also sentenced to 20 years in prison on a probation revocation stemming from a charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, as well as 15 years in prison on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge out of Dallas County, prosecutors said.
The charges relate to incidents “perpetrated against different women with whom he had relationships,” the district attorney’s office said.
At Mickens’ sentencing on Monday, April 6, multiple women gave victim impact statements and shared details of how they survived “torment, torture, manipulation, and sexual assault,” according to prosecutors.
It was not immediately clear who represented Mickens in his case.
According to prosecutors, Mickens was involved in a multi-level marketing venture known as IM Academy and allegedly recruited people to work with him. Those recruited were said to have been promised thousands in profits.
Mickens is accused of manipulating both men and women “while hiding his very violent private persona,” the district attorney’s office said.
On Instagram, Mickens’ account, “cashcartier,” has nearly 100,000 followers.
As of Wednesday, April 8, his Instagram bio says, “Goodbye my sweet family,” and appears to mention Cuevas, as well as Soldier.
“I love you Sheila Carter,” his bio says, along with the date of Cuevas’ death.
Mickens’ bio also lists “Soldier” next to the emojis of a dove, dog and the date 10/19/23.
In court, Cuevas’ loved ones spoke to Mickens, according to the district attorney’s office, and said “there can be no justice that brings Sheila back, but there can be outcomes, and there can be accountability and you deserve this.”
