CARLSBAD, Calif. – In December 2025, an adult female reported to the Carlsbad Police Department that she had been sexually abused by her former dance instructor during her teenage years. At the time, she attended classes at a dance studio located in the 6000 block of Avenida Encinas in Carlsbad.
During the investigation, detectives identified two additional adult female victims who reported similar abuse while attending dance classes at the same studio during their teenage years.
The suspect has been identified as Darnay Luckie, also known as Ledarnay Luckie Fontenette, 39, of Encinitas. On April 29, 2026, the Carlsbad Police Department arrested Luckie Fontenette in connection with this investigation.
Luckie Fontenette confirmed he worked as a dance instructor at multiple studios between 2011 and 2017. Investigators have verified that he was employed at Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy in Carlsbad and DanceFX in San Marcos during that timeframe.
This investigation remains ongoing. Detectives believe there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Paige Haar of the Carlsbad Police Department at 760-579-2824 or Paige.Haar@carlsbadca.gov
For more information
Lieutenant Alonso DeVelasco, 442-339-5578 or Alonso.develasco@carlsbadca.gov
