VA high school football coach missing in child pornography investigation
Virginia high school football coach Travis L. Turner goes missing in child pornography investigation.
Nearly two weeks after a Virginia high school football coach was wanted on child pornography possession and child solicitation charges, federal authorities on December 1st warned that the coach “may be armed” and offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Travis Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, 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. Authorities did not provide details on what led to the charges, but previously said additional charges were pending.
Turner, who was the head football coach at Union High School in Wise County, was last seen on Nov. 20. Authorities said in a Nov. 25 news release that they were “actively searching” for Turner.
In a wanted poster released on Dec. 1, the U.S. Marshals Service warned the public to “be cautious” and say Turner “may be armed.” The agency said it was offering a reward of up to $5,000 and urged anyone with information about Turner to contact authorities.
Adrian Collins, an attorney representing Turner’s family, told local television stations WCYB and WJHL over the weekend that the family’s last contact with Turner was on Nov. 20, after Turner “left his residence to walk into the woods with a gun.”
“We believe he entered a forested mountainous area,” Collins said in a statement, the television station reported. “No arrest warrant had been issued yet at that time.”
“We do not have any updated information to share at this time,” Virginia State Police spokeswoman Robin Lawson told USA TODAY on Dec. 1. Collins did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment on Nov. 30.
High school football coach disappears amid criminal investigation
Virginia State Police announced in a Nov. 25 news release that they obtained 10 felony warrants for Turner on Nov. 24.
State police said investigators were dispatched to Turner’s residence in Appalachia on Nov. 20 as part of the “initial stages” of the investigation, but during the trip agents were informed that Turner was no longer at the residence.
“This is part of an investigation and is not intended to make an arrest,” state police said in a news release.
Since Turner’s disappearance, state police have said they have used search and rescue teams, drones and police dogs to assist in the investigation. Federal authorities also joined the search for Turner, according to state police.
The agency said its “top priority” was to safely locate Turner, who is believed to be a fugitive. State police say the investigation is ongoing.
Appalachia is a town in Wise County, Virginia, approximately 40 miles north of the Virginia-Kentucky border.
Who is Travis Turner?
Turner taught physical education at Union High School, the same school where he coached football. As of Nov. 30, he was not listed on the school’s website.
During Turner’s disappearance, the Union High School football team remained undefeated and advanced to the state semifinals on Nov. 29, according to WCYB. The team is scheduled to play Glenvar High School in Salem, Virginia, on Dec. 6 in the Class 2 state semifinals.
Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth previously told USA TODAY that the district is aware that law enforcement has filed charges against “a faculty member on administrative leave.” Goforth did not name the employee, but said the employee was on leave and “is not permitted to be on school grounds or have any contact with students.”
Prior to teaching at Union High School, Turner played quarterback at Appalachian High School, where he was coached by his father, Tom Turner, a Hall of Fame member of the Virginia High School League.
Turner was a member of Virginia Tech’s 1998 freshman class, which also included Michael Vick, USA TODAY reported. Turner transferred to Division II UVA Wise for the 1999 season, when Vick memorably led the Hokies to the national championship game.
Turner then transferred to Eastern Kentucky University in 2002, where the team finished legendary coach Roy Kidd’s final season with an 8-4 record. The campaign also included a 25-24 loss to Eastern Illinois on October 12, when Turner faced future Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
Contributors: Natalie Neysa Alund and Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY
