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Missing Virginia high school football coach wanted on charges of child pornography - shocking details emerge
A small Virginia town is reeling after a high school football coach disappeared just days before police revealed he's wanted on serious charges involving a minor.
Travis Lee Turner, 46, who led the undefeated Union High School football team, was last seen before state police arrived at his home in Appalachia as part of an investigation. Authorities now say Turner is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
According to Virginia State Police, ten warrants tied to the case were obtained Monday. They have not released further details about the allegations, but confirmed Turner is now considered a fugitive.
He vanished just before a critical playoff run
Turner, also listed as a physical education teacher, was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants, and glasses. His disappearance came just as his team was preparing for a playoff game, which they went on to win without him, advancing to the regional finals, according to CNN affiliate WCYB.
Union High School, located near Big Stone Gap and just southeast of Appalachia, sits at the center of the community now shaken by the investigation. Turner, who attended Appalachia High School before it was consolidated into Union High, had been coaching football in the region for years.
He played quarterback for his father, Virginia High School League Hall of Famer Tom Turner, from 1994 to 1997, according to the Bristol Herald Courier.
His football journey continued through college, with stints at Virginia Tech, Eastern Kentucky, and the University of Virginia-Wise. In early 2011, he was hired as the head coach at Powell Valley High School before taking the reins at Union.
School and family speak out as search continues
In a statement via KATV, Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth said, “Wise County Public Schools is aware that law enforcement has filed charges against a staff member who has been on administrative leave. The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students.” Goforth added that the district would continue cooperating with law enforcement.
Per CNN, Turner’s wife shared a message from the family’s attorney, Adrian Collins, who said, “I speak today on behalf of Coach Turner’s family. We remain prayerful for his safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. We trust God to bring truth and clarity in His time. Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process – not through speculation or rumor.” The statement closed with a request for privacy.
Since Turner went missing, search efforts have included drones, K-9 teams, and search and rescue personnel. State police remain on the lookout as the investigation unfolds.