VA high school football coach missing in child pornography investigation
Virginia high school football coach Travis L. Turner goes missing in child pornography investigation.
A Virginia high school football coach wanted for child pornography and computer solicitation was last seen walking into the woods with a firearm, according to reports.
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. The agency did not provide details on what led to the charges, but said additional charges were pending.
Turner, a well-known figure around Southwest Virginia and the former football coach at Union High School in Wise County, was last seen on Nov. 20. State Police said in a Nov. 25 news release that authorities are “actively searching” for Turner.
Adrian Collins, an attorney representing Turner’s family, told local television stations WCYB and WJHL that the family’s last contact with Turner was on November 20, after Turner “left his home to walk into the woods with a firearm.”
“We believe he entered a wooded, mountainous area,” Collins said in a statement, the television station reported on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. “No warrant for his arrest had been issued at that time.”
According to WCYB and WJHL, Collins said Turner’s wife called local police when her husband did not come home that night, but was told she could not file a missing persons report until 24 hours had passed. A missing persons report was filed on November 21, and the family has been cooperating with police since then, the television station reported.
“Family and friends are also conducting searches in the surrounding woods,” Collins added, according to the TV station. “These efforts are limited in view of weather conditions and ongoing official operations.”
Collins and the Virginia State Police did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment on Nov. 30.
High school football coach deemed fugitive
Virginia State Police previously said they had obtained 10 felony warrants for Turner on Nov. 24, and that agents were dispatched to Turner’s Appalachian residence on Nov. 20 as part of the “initial stages” of the investigation.
However, during the trip, investigators were informed that Turner was no longer at the residence, state police said. Since his disappearance, state police have said they are using search and rescue teams, drones and police dogs to assist in the investigation.
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.
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
