On April 29, 2026, the Carlsbad Police Department arrested Ledarnay Luckie Fontenette, a 39-year-old former dance instructor also known as Darnay Luckie, following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving former students.
Details of the Allegations
The Timeline: The reported abuse is historical, occurring between 2011 and 2017.
The Victims: The investigation began in December 2025 when an adult woman reported being abused by Fontenette while she was a teenager attending his classes. Detectives subsequently identified two other women who reported similar abuse during their time as teenage students at the same studio.
Locations: Fontenette was confirmed to have worked at the Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy and DanceFX in San Marcos during the period in question.
Recent Activities
Following his career in dance, Fontenette transitioned into the beauty industry. At the time of his arrest, he was the owner of LuckieStyles, a hair salon located in Solana Beach. He had recently been featured in local business profiles discussing his transition from professional dancing to cosmetology.
Current Status of the Case
Ongoing Investigation: The Carlsbad Police Department believes there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
School Response: The Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy issued a statement clarifying that Fontenette has not been employed there for over eight years. They emphasized that they do not believe any current students were affected due to the timeline of the allegations.
Police Contact: Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this case or potential additional victims to contact Detective Paige Haar of the Carlsbad Police Department at 760-579-2824.
This arrest is part of a broader recent focus on historical abuse within North County youth programs, with law enforcement encouraging victims to use resources like the RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE) for support.
