Missing Virginia football coach wanted on child porn charges

( Yahoo )

A Virginia high school football coach who disappeared last week is now a fugitive from justice after state police on Tuesday, Nov. 25 announced he was wanted on child pornography possession and child solicitation charges.

Travis L. Turner, 46, who disappeared late last week, 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 confirmed to USA TODAY.

It was not immediately known if the alleged crimes involved a student or athlete, or whether there is more than one victim in the case, but police on Tuesday said they were "actively searching for Turner," last reportedly seen on Nov. 20.

Turner, 46, is the head football coach at Union High School in Wise County. The team is in the midst of a perfect 12-0 season and is set to play in Virginia's Region 2D championship game.

The school is in Big Stone Gap in southwest Virginia about 35 miles northwest of Bristol, Tennessee near the Kentucky state line.

The coach is also a well-known figure around Southwest Virginia, with a long history of athletic achievement, including time as a college quarterback.

Since his disappearance, state police said they have used search and rescue teams, drones and police dogs to assist in the hunt for the fugitive.

The agency announced the update in the case after it said it obtained the 10 felony warrants for Turner on Monday, Nov. 24.

Additional charges are pending, the agency said, and the case remains under investigation.

Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth on Tuesday, told USA TODAY the district was aware law enforcement had 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, who would not name the employee, wrote in an email to USA TODAY on Tuesday. "The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward," Goforth wrote. "Because this is an active legal matter involving personnel, the division cannot comment further."

State police sent to home of Travis Turner

Police said officers were sent to Turner's residence in Wise County on Thursday, Nov. 20.

While in transit, police said agents were informed Turner was no longer at the location.

As per Newsweek, his wife wrote the following in a since-deleted Facebook post: "As of right now…Travis is missing, & that’s all we know. We love him & need him here with us…Just keep praying that he comes home."

Who is Travis Turner?

Turner, 46, teaches physical education at Union High School, the same school where he coaches football.

Before becoming a teacher and coach, he played quarterback at Appalachia High School in Virginia where he was coached by his dad, Virginia High School League Hall of Fame member Tom Turner.

He was a member of Virginia Tech's 1998 recruiting class, which also included Michael Vick. Turner transferred to Division-II UVA-Wise for the 1999 season when Vick memorably led the Hokies to the national championship game.

Turner later transferred to Eastern Kentucky University where in 2002, his team finished with an 8-4 record in legendary coach Roy Kidd's final season. The campaign included a 25-24 loss to Eastern Illinois on Oct. 12 in which Turner dueled with future Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Travis Turner description

Police described Turner as a white man with brown hair and brown eyes standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 260 pounds.

He was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses.

Officials asked anyone with information on Turner's whereabouts to contact Virginia State Police Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Tips can be made anonymously.