BIG STONE GAP, Va. (AP) — A Virginia high school football coach who disappeared days before his undefeated team's playoff game is being sought on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material and using a computer to solicit a minor, Virginia State Police said Tuesday.
Police said Travis L. Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, is wanted on warrants obtained Monday for five counts of each charge, adding that additional charges are pending as an investigation continues. They did not share details about what prompted the charges.
Turner has been missing since last Thursday, when state police special agents from a Bureau of Criminal Investigation office were sent to his home, not to arrest him but to talk to him as part of an investigation. As officers traveled there, they were notified that he was gone. The subsequent search nearby has included drones, dogs, and rescue teams, police said.
The Associated Press left a message seeking comment Tuesday at a phone number associated with Turner. The court did not yet have a case docket listing any attorney for him, and records related to his charges were not disclosed by the court or state police.
Turner is the football coach at Union High School in southwest Virginia’s Wise County. Union has strung together 12 straight wins to remain undefeated this season and advance to a regional final this Saturday.
Before coaching Union’s team, Turner was a quarterback at Appalachia High School, which merged into Union High School in 2011. His father, Tom Turner, was also his high school football coach and was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame in 2005.
Online records indicate Travis Turner was in Virginia Tech’s 1998 recruiting class alongside future NFL quarterback Michael Vick and also played football at the University of Virginia Wise in 1999.
Defensive coordinator Jason Edwards stepped in as interim head coach in Union’s recent victory over Graham. According to the Bristol Herald Courier, players have been reluctant to discuss the situation regarding Turner. Senior running back Keith Chandler mentioned the need for the team to handle adversity and stick together as brothers amidst the ongoing turmoil.
Division Superintendent Mike Goforth informed the AP that Wise County Public Schools is aware of the charges filed against a staff member who has been on administrative leave, not permitted on school property or in contact with students. However, he did not provide specific details regarding when or why that leave began.
Police said Travis L. Turner, 46, of Appalachia, Virginia, is wanted on warrants obtained Monday for five counts of each charge, adding that additional charges are pending as an investigation continues. They did not share details about what prompted the charges.
Turner has been missing since last Thursday, when state police special agents from a Bureau of Criminal Investigation office were sent to his home, not to arrest him but to talk to him as part of an investigation. As officers traveled there, they were notified that he was gone. The subsequent search nearby has included drones, dogs, and rescue teams, police said.
The Associated Press left a message seeking comment Tuesday at a phone number associated with Turner. The court did not yet have a case docket listing any attorney for him, and records related to his charges were not disclosed by the court or state police.
Turner is the football coach at Union High School in southwest Virginia’s Wise County. Union has strung together 12 straight wins to remain undefeated this season and advance to a regional final this Saturday.
Before coaching Union’s team, Turner was a quarterback at Appalachia High School, which merged into Union High School in 2011. His father, Tom Turner, was also his high school football coach and was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame in 2005.
Online records indicate Travis Turner was in Virginia Tech’s 1998 recruiting class alongside future NFL quarterback Michael Vick and also played football at the University of Virginia Wise in 1999.
Defensive coordinator Jason Edwards stepped in as interim head coach in Union’s recent victory over Graham. According to the Bristol Herald Courier, players have been reluctant to discuss the situation regarding Turner. Senior running back Keith Chandler mentioned the need for the team to handle adversity and stick together as brothers amidst the ongoing turmoil.
Division Superintendent Mike Goforth informed the AP that Wise County Public Schools is aware of the charges filed against a staff member who has been on administrative leave, not permitted on school property or in contact with students. However, he did not provide specific details regarding when or why that leave began.
