Missing coach wanted on child sex abuse material charges left with gun: Family
Virginia high school football coach Who disappeared on November 20? Koç’s family said that it was later revealed that he was wanted on charges involving sexual abuse material against children, and that he was last seen walking towards the forest with a gun.
“The family’s last known contact with Travis occurred on or about Thursday, November 20, after he left his home to walk through the woods armed with a firearm. He is believed to have entered a heavily forested and mountainous area,” a law firm representing Travis Turner’s family said in a statement released Friday.
At the time, lawyer Adrian Collins said in a statement that no warrant had been issued for Turner’s arrest.
Virginia State Police – PHOTO: Travis Turner is seen in an undated photo released by the Virginia State Police.
Missing Virginia high school football coach wanted for child sex abuse material: Police
In the lawyer’s statement, it was stated that Turner’s wife notified law enforcement after he did not return home that evening.
In the lawyer’s statement, “He was told that a missing person report could not be received until at least 24 hours had passed.” The statement was included. “The next day, she filed a missing persons report with the Virginia State Police. The family fully cooperated with law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to locate Travis.”
Police said agents with the state police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office were en route to Turner’s home on Nov. 20 as part of an investigation when they were notified that Turner was no longer there.
State police later issued a total of 10 arrest warrants for Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, including five for possession of child pornography and five for using a computer to harass a minor, authorities said.
Virginia State Police – PHOTO: Travis Turner is seen in an undated photo released by the Virginia State Police.
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Turner serves as a physical education teacher and head football coach at Union High School in the Wise County public school district, according to the school’s website. Following his disappearance, the football team went undefeated, advancing to the Virginia regional final during a 12-0 season.
Virginia State Police said earlier this week they were actively searching for Turner.
“Since his disappearance, VSP has used a number of assets, including search and rescue teams, drones and k9s, to assist in the search,” state police said in a statement. he said. “VSP’s main priority is to safely locate Turner; he is now considered a fugitive.”
In the statement made by the Turner family’s lawyer, it was stated that family members and friends also searched the forest.
“These efforts are limited due to weather conditions and respect for ongoing official operations,” the statement said. “It is the family’s prayer that Travis is safe and has the opportunity to defend himself in court.”
