Influencer Blames Dog After Drugging Girlfriend—Now Faces 40 Years in Prison
Kaleb Mickens, known as Cash Cartier, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the assault that led to his girlfriend’s death.
An Instagram influencer from Fort Worth has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for drugging and assaulting his girlfriend, then falsely blaming her death on his dog.
Kaleb Mickens, known online as Cash Cartier, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated assault family violence over the brutal attack on Sheila Cuevas that led to her death on October 8, 2023.
He was also sentenced to 20 years for a probation revocation tied to a previous aggravated assault case, and an additional 15 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Dallas County, the Tarrant County District Attorney announced on April 7.
The influencer blamed his dog for Sheila Cuevas' death in 2023, and the animal was later euthanized.
The DA’s office said that the offenses were committed against different women with whom the accused had relationships.
Cash Cartier’s 911 Call
On the day of the murder, he reportedly called 911 and informed dispatchers that Cuevas had been attacked by his dog, Soldier. He reported that she was no longer breathing.
Subsequently, Soldier was taken and euthanized by animal control, but investigators later determined the dog had no role in her injuries and death.
Court Statements
Assistant District Attorneys Allenna Bangs and Peter Gieseking prosecuted this case.
“In a full courtroom Monday, several women delivered impact statements that included details of torment, torture, manipulation, and sexual assault. Each shared their message of survival and personal devastation that Ms. Cuevas did not survive,” a statement from the DA’s office reads.
The family of Cuevas, including her brother, addressed the defendant, stating, “There can be no justice that brings Sheila back, but there can be outcomes, and there can be accountability and you deserve this.”
Cash Cartier’s Scam
According to the DA’s office, the accused was a well-known figure in the IM Academy where he lured young people into joining his training team with the promise of making thousands of dollars.
IM Academy is a multi-level marketing (MLM) company. It provides online training, live sessions, and trading tools aimed at teaching Forex, e-commerce, and social media skills.
“He used his perceived wealth and status to manipulate men and women with threats and promises while hiding his very violent private persona,” the statement from the DA’s office continued.
Detective Tracy Dixon of the Arlington Police Department, as well as DA investigator Timothy Pinckney and victim advocate Carma Anderson, helped in the investigation into the case.
The accused was a well-known figure in the IM Academy.
Social Media Reactions
Despite the severity of the case, some social media users responded with dark humor. “Your dog definitely disappointed in you,” remarked an individual on Instagram.
“Hope those inmates have fun with that little pony tail,” wrote another user.
The suspect had posted a tribute to the victims on his Instagram bio.
Cash Cartier's Instagram bio had been updated after his girlfriend's death.
“He is a master of manipulation,” Allenna Bangs, a Tarrant County assistant district attorney, told Fox 4. “He’s just incredibly abusive.”
Prosecutors learned Mickens had abused over a dozen women during their investigation into this case.
“He, by his nature, is just an abuser and that’s kind of what we found by investigating his case,” Bangs added.
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