Missing high school football coach Travis Turner was being investigated for child pornography and soliciting a minor before his disappearance.
Turner is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, the Virginia State Police revealed on Tuesday, November 25.
A warrant for Turner’s arrest was obtained on Monday, November 24. He is now officially considered a “fugitive,” according to police.
Turner, the head football coach at Union High School in Virginia, went missing on Thursday, November 20, and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
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The day after his disappearance, Wise County Public Schools, Turner’s employer, announced an unnamed staff member had been placed on administrative leave.
“At this time, a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to us,” Wise Country Public Schools said in a statement on Friday, November 21. “This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing. The division cannot comment further.”
Agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were on their way to Turner’s home on Thursday to speak with him about an open investigation.
However, when the agents were en route, they were informed that Turner was no longer at the residence.
Turner was officially listed as an “endangered missing person” on Saturday, November 22, Virginia State Police 1st Sgt. Jason Day told News Channel 11.
A search involving drones, K-9 units and a helicopter has focused on a wooded area near the football coach’s home.
“He had went into the woods right near the general location of his house, and that’s basically where we’ve focused our search on,” Day said.
Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, broke her silence about her husband’s disappearance in a since-deleted Facebook post.
“I just wanted to get on here for a second to clear up something, as of right now, 10:25 PM on Friday night, Travis is missing, & that’s all we know,” Leslie wrote. “We love him & need him here with us. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love & support. It means more than you know. Just keep praying that he comes home.”
Travis went missing just days after Union defeated Lee High School in the state regional semifinals.
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“I thought we did a good job adjusting to what they were trying to do offensively,” Travis told a local reporter after the game. “I thought our kids adjusted. First time playing on a Saturday, it’s a different feel.”
Interim coach Jay Edwards took over duties for Union’s 12-0 win over Graham High School in the state regional semifinals on Saturday, November 22.
“Today is really about the students here and at Union High School,” Wise County Public Schools superintendent Mike Goforth told News Channel 11 at the game. “You know, I can’t discuss any personnel matters, and I really think that folks need to review the statement that we released yesterday. You can refer to the last statement if there’s no further comment at this time.”
Union is scheduled to play Ridgeview High School in the state regional finals on Saturday, November 29.
