Fort Worth man sentenced to 40 years for drugging woman who later died

A North Texas judge sentenced a man to 40 years in prison for assaulting and drugging a woman.

A Fort Worth man will spend decades behind bars after being convicted of drugging a woman, which the Tarrant County District Attorney says led to her death.

Kaleb Mickens, 34, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated assault family violence after the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office said he assaulted and drugged Sheila Cuevas.

Cuevas died Oct. 8, 2023.

The Tarrant County District Attorney said the assault and drugging led to Cuevas's death, but didn't elaborate or say why Mickens didn't face charges connected to the woman's death.

In court, several women delivered impact statements describing abuse, torture and sexual assault they experienced at the hands of Mickens. Members of Cuevas' family, including her brother, also spoke in court.

“There can be no justice that brings Sheila back, but there can be outcomes, and there can be accountability and you deserve this," her brother said.

Prosecutors said Mickens called 911 on Oct. 8, 2023, reporting Cuevas had been attacked by his dog and was no longer breathing. Animal control officials seized the dog, and it was euthanized. The DA said animal control later determined the dog was not responsible for Cuevas’ injuries.

Mickens was also sentenced to 20 years following revocation of probation for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and 15 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Dallas County. Each of those offenses, the Tarrant DA said, was against women with whom he had relationships.