Missing Virginia football coach Travis Turner wanted on child porn charges

Virginia State Police launched a manhunt for Union High School football coach Travis L. Turner, 46, who was declared a fugitive after disappearing from his home.

Authorities announced Tuesday that they had obtained 10 arrest warrants issued Monday charging Turner with five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to molest a minor.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. Turner, who disappeared last week, is now considered a fugitive, VSP said.

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Turner was first reported missing on Friday, Nov. 21, a day after troopers went to his home in Appalachia, Virginia, according to state police.

When special agents with the VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office learned Turner was no longer there, they headed to the residence Thursday, not to make an arrest, but as part of the early stages of the investigation.

Since his disappearance, police have deployed search and rescue teams, drones and K-9 units in an attempt to locate him.

“Our main priority is to locate Turner safely,” VSP said in a statement, noting that the search continues in many areas.

Authorities ask 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.

Virginia State Police began searching for Union High football coach Travis Turner, whose disappearance stunned the Big Stone Gap community. (Virginia State Police)

A video that recently surfaced on Union Sports Network’s Instagram feed is believed to show Turner’s last public interview before she disappeared.

The interview was conducted on the field at Bullet Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, immediately after Union’s 40-7 victory over Lehigh in the Region 2B quarterfinals on Nov. 15. Speaking with host BJ Richardson, Turner praised his players’ resilience and senior leadership.

“I thought our kids adapted, played hard and overcame some adversity,” Turner said, noting that his team had questionable penalty calls. “There was no panic. We just continued on the field and played football.”

At the time, Union High School was undefeated and preparing to defend state champion Graham High School in the following week’s playoff matchup.

“They’re super athletic and we’ve played each other 15-16 times so far,” Turner added with a grin. “This will be a war and our children will be ready.”

An undated photo released by Virginia State Police features Union High School head football coach Travis Turner, who was reported missing. (Virginia State Police)

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Turner’s disappearance shook the rural Virginia community. Wise County Public Schools previously confirmed that an unnamed employee had been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation of an external allegation, but did not identify the employee or confirm whether the matter was related to Turner.

Inspector Dr. “A staff member has been placed on paid administrative leave while an outside agency investigates an allegation reported to the department,” Mike Goforth said in a statement. “This is standard procedure and is not a determination of wrongdoing.”

The district said it could not comment further due to an active law enforcement investigation.

Leslie Turner urged friends on social media to “please pray” after her husband’s disappearance. (Leslie Turner/Facebook)

In a since-deleted Facebook post obtained by News Channel 11, Turner’s wife said Friday the coach was missing, “and that’s all we know.”

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“We love him and we need him here,” he wrote. “Keep praying for him to come home.”

Turner comes from a long-established football family. His late father, Tom Turner, coached at Apalachee High School and led his teams to five state championships during his 26-year career before his death in 2006.