A former Carlsbad dance instructor is at the center of a widening abuse investigation after multiple women told police they were sexually abused while they were students, according to the Carlsbad Police Department. Authorities identified the suspect as 39-year-old Darnay Luckie, who has also used the name Ledarnay Luckie Fontenette, and said he was taken into custody in late April as detectives pressed ahead with the probe. Investigators say they have since identified two additional women who reported similar abuse at the same dance studio.
How the investigation began
The case picked up steam after an adult woman came forward in December 2025 and reported that a former instructor had sexually abused her when she was a teenager at a studio on the 6000 block of Avenida Encinas, according to FOX5 San Diego. That report prompted detectives to reopen their inquiry and start interviewing other former students, investigators told FOX5. The department says the investigation remains active and that there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified.
Suspect background and past studios
Police said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday, April 29, and that investigators confirmed he taught at local studios between 2011 and 2017, KGTV reported. In a news release, officials named Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy in Carlsbad and DanceFX in San Marcos as places where he worked during that period. Authorities have not said whether other locations or time frames are currently under review.
Police: come forward with tips
The Carlsbad Police Department is urging anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Paige Haar at 760-579-2824 or [email protected], according to FOX5 San Diego. Investigators are specifically asking former students and parents who attended classes at the Avenida Encinas studio between 2011 and 2017 to review any records or personal communications that might support the investigation. Authorities note that cases like this can move slowly as detectives work to corroborate memories and collect documentation.
Legal note
Carlsbad police have described the arrest as part of an ongoing criminal investigation and did not release details on formal charges in their initial statement, KGTV reported. If prosecutors ultimately file charges, the case will proceed through the San Diego County Superior Court system, where alleged victims can be notified and subpoenas issued for evidence. Anyone with direct knowledge of incidents is asked to contact police so investigators can evaluate potential charges.
